THE ROLE OF MOBILE PHONE TRACKING TECHNOLOGY IN CRIME PREVENTION IN KENYA: A CASE OF NAIROBI CITY COUNTY

Abstract

Technology today has greatly advanced and police officers can now, through mobile tracking technology, locate all calls received at the ICT command center, in turn know the exact location where there is distress, and respond as required. The study sought to the role of Mobile Phone Tracking Technology in crime prevention and how if embraced it can help the national police service in the prevention of all crimes in Nairobi City County. The study design was descriptive incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques. From the target population of 694 police officers serving in Langata and Embakasi divisions; the researcher targeted 208 respondents from all the cadres of regular police. Questionnaires were utilized in collecting the Primary data. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyze the data and presented in form of tables and charts. The study found that respondents used mobile phone tracking technology largely in crime prevention. Majority of the police had received training on mobile phone technology crime mapping techniques. However, crimemapping analysis was conducted as needed though some factors affected respondent’s ability to use mobile phone technology in crime mapping effectively. The study concludes that cell phones applications contributed extensively in compacting crime activities as it contributed to drop in major crimes. The study recommends that in order to help law enforcement officers to have a deep understanding and proper attitude in regards to usage of IT, as policing tools, there needs to be an awareness program put in place. This would give details on the optimistic features of utilizing computers for policing purposes.