ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY-LED-ADVOCACY ON SOCIAL JUSTICE OUTCOMES: A CASE STUDY OF KANENGO COMMUNITY POLICING DEPARTMENT AT KANENGO POLICE IN LILONGWE.

Community-led advocacy has emerged as a vital mechanism for promoting social justice, enhancing transparency, and fostering trust between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. This study examines the impact of community-led advocacy on social justice outcomes within the Kanengo Community Policing Department at Kanengo Police in Lilongwe. Employing a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with community members, police officers, and local advocacy leaders, alongside focus group discussions and document analysis of community policing reports and policy frameworks. The study investigates how community-driven initiatives influence police accountability, citizen engagement, crime reporting, and conflict resolution, as well as the challenges and opportunities inherent in these advocacy efforts.

Findings indicate that active community participation has significantly improved social justice outcomes by fostering mutual trust, also increasing responsiveness of police services, and facilitating timely intervention in cases of social and domestic disputes. Furthermore, the presence of organized community advocacy structures has enhanced collaboration, allowing for the identification of localized crime trends and the development of context-specific interventions. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as limited, occasional resistance from law enforcement personnel, and insufficient public awareness hinder the full potential of community-led advocacy.

The study concludes that sustained investment in community policing programs, coupled with capacity-building initiatives for both citizens and law enforcement officers, is essential for maximizing social justice gains. Recommendations include strengthening advocacy training, promoting inclusive dialogue, and institutionalizing mechanisms for regular feedback between the police and the community. This research contributes to the broader discourse on participatory policing and social justice by demonstrating that community-led advocacy is not only a catalyst for improved policing outcomes.