Introduction to Policing and the Rule of Law in Sub-Saharan Africa

Policing, and a fair legal system are a core contributing factors to the stability of any democratic society (Douglas-Scott, 2004). This is particularly important in contexts where governance is weak and desultory (Baker, 2003). The rule of law contribute to the restriction of arbitrariness and abuse power by creating a stable condition for economic growth and national development. When a country embraces the rule of law, it creates not only the condition in which citizens belief in the effectiveness of the legal order, it essentially provides a stable economy in which foreign investment can thrive. Simply put, the rule of law provide a sense of safety, opportunity to improve access to justice, promote accountability, strengthen the criminal justice system, enhance police–citizen relations, reduce armed violence through curbing the proliferation of small and light weapons, and supports the promotion of human rights and a stable environment for investments (Baldwin, 1997; Reardon & Hans, 2018; Ullman, 1983; United Nations, 2014).