IndexIntroductionChallengesPolitical interference in police operationsLimited police “footprint”Corruption and nepotismPoor utilization of existing resourcesConclusionIntroductionThe police in Malawi is a government security institution responsible for maintaining the peace, law and public order. They are stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Its establishment is authorized by the Constitution of Malawi under Article 153(1) which states that "there shall be an independent body of the Executive which shall be present to provide for the protection of public safety and the rights of the people in Malawi as may be prescribed of this Constitution and any other law”. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay. This essay will explain the challenges in reforming the security sector that the police of Malawi encounters in its effort to reform the police. The essence of the expression of the challenges is that possible ways of addressing them must be suggested. The essay will begin by defining the security sector reform, police reform, it will also explain the challenges and the possible ways to address them and will conclude with a conclusion. Security sector reform: Security sector reform refers to the “process by which a country seeks to review and improve the effectiveness and accountability of its security and justice providers ”. Police Reform: According to Tara Denham, (2008, p.7.), police reform is “the transformation or change of a police organization into a professional and accountable organization”. police service that practices a style of policing that responds to the needs of local communities.” The challengesThe Malawi Police force has been transforming itself since 1997, when it changed its name from Malawi Police Force to Malawi Police Service. Since then it has respected human rights following a principle of democracy. However, its reform is gradual and presents several challenges. Some of the challenges are: interlocutors, political interference, limited police footprints, corruption and nepotism, negative perceptions of the police and, finally, poor use of existing resources. Interlocutors: According to ISSAT, (2012, p.36. ), interlocutors are those interested in engaging in the same goal of police reform. Stakeholders include the judicial system, the Malawi prison and some non-governmental organizations that are human rights activists and including the police themselves. Non-governmental organizations only enter into a police reform program when they have money. Once their money is gone, they become stuck on the goal of police reform. The justice system is a spoiler in police reform in that courts impose prison sentences on offenders of minor crimes instead of ordering alternative sentences such as community service, warnings, and suspended sentences. Again, the courts do not enforce the forty-eight hour rule. According to section 42 (2) (b) of the Constitution of Malawi, it states that “every person arrested suspected of having committed an offense shall be brought to court before the expiration of forty-eight hours”. Section 42 (2) (e) of the same Constitution of Malawi also provides that "if the suspect is not brought before the court before forty-eight hours have elapsed, the courts shall release the suspect with or without bail, unless the the interests of justice do not require otherwise”. Most courts fail to implement this rule by failing to abide by the meaning of a forty-eight hour rule. Likewise, thePolice investigators deny the suspects' right to appear in court within forty-eight hours, delaying the investigation. This challenge can be addressed by organizing an inspectorate team that will visit the police cells and ensure that every suspect is brought to court within a period of forty-eight hours. Political interference in police operationsAnother challenge in police reform is political interference in police operations. The police in Malawi is under the control of civilian elites such as the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and not excluding the commander in chief of the armed forces who is the president of the state. For example, the police service's senior leadership team changes after every general election; Since the advent of multi-party rule in 1994, eight Inspectors General of Police have been appointed. This deteriorates the independence of the service and the morale of an organization since operational activities will be under the influence of political elites, for example: in June, In 2018, the political elites of the Democratic Progressive Party ordered the police to Blantyre to disperse the crowd gathered during the Sadiki Miah mass demonstration. In response, police dispersed the crowd by firing tear gas. This is a big challenge in police reform because the act done by the police violated the constitutional right to freedom of association. Once again, the act denies democracy which is associated with human rights and multi-party practice. Political interference in police reform also occurs when politicians send their relatives for recruitment. Undesirable people who have no interest in the job are recruited under the influence of political elites, consequently they are the same people who resist change in police reform. Once again, political elites have an influence in accelerating their relatives in career through promotion simply by ordaining an Inspector General of Police. In most cases, people promoted in this way do not have the ability to lead and manage their lower ranks, consequently it is the police officers who resist change in police reform. This problem can be addressed by formulating an independent police commission composed of renowned figures responsible for handling recruitment, promotion, discipline and other personnel matters. Limited police “footprint” The limited police “footprint” is another challenge in Malawi's police reform. According to the OECD (2007, P.174.), limited police footprints refers to limited police presence in many areas. In Malawi, most rural areas do not have police units. People travel to a distant place to find the police. This leaves many people in rural areas where there is no police unit left with their cases unreported. Even though a victim may sacrifice his transportation to report the matter to the police, it takes a long time for the police to arrest the suspect and recapture him. sometimes the suspect is never arrested. This is because the Malawi Police do not have enough vehicles and sometimes there may be a vehicle present but surprisingly you are told that there is no fuel. Insufficient funding provided by the government to the police makes the police struggle to regularly visit remote and distant areas, as a result, the crime rate increases in areas unreachable by the police. The limited resources available tend to be concentrated in the urban areas of Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zomba to name a few. Rural areas often lack police coverage. This.