Towards An Intelligence-Led Approach To Address Wildlife Crime In Uganda

Abstract

Wildlife law enforcement is an under-researched form of policing. Increased recognition of the severity of wildlife crimes, including poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, has led to the adoption of intelligence-led strategies at the international, regional, and local level in an attempt to bolster detection, investigation, and information-sharing capabilities. Much attention, however, has focussed on 'high'-level intelligence operations rather than 'low'-level approaches. The present study contributes to the criminal justice and conservation science literature by investigating the intelligence-led approach utilized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Drawn from semi-structured interviews (n = 89) and observational data, this study examines the introduction of an intelligence unit within the law enforcement department of the UWA in five study sites. Our data suggests that while most respondents acknowledged the importance of intelligence-led operations and were familiar with the intelligence cycle, the implementation of intelligence-led tactics did not reflect a true intelligence model and mirrored more of a traditional, investigation-led approach. This was primarily attributed to the lack of trained crime and intelligence analysts within the organization. Implications for conservation policy, wildlife law enforcement, and policing research are discussed.

Publication Date

9-1-2018

Publication Title

Policing (Oxford)

Volume

12

Issue

3

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pax064

Socpus ID

85057303803 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85057303803

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