The purpose of this study was to assess the role and challenges of community policing in rncrime prevention: the case of Woreda 7, Addis ketema sub-city, Addis Ababa city rnadministration. This study was conducted using a qualitative research approach and rndescriptive research design. To achieve this objective, the researcher used both primary rnand secondary sources of data. The primary data were collected from interviews, rnobservation, and reports of the community policing office. The secondary data are rncollected from books, journals. Purposive sampling techniques are included in this study. rnThe interviewees are Community Policing Officers office coordinators and other rnstakeholders. The major roles that the community policing office of the Woreda played is rnimproving the community police service management and leadership style, the structure of rnthe organization, directing, supervision system, internal and external environment, the rnsupport of governmental and non-governmental organizations, community participation in rnthe case of crime prevention and police-community relationships. The major findings of rnthis study revealed that the major challenges for Community Policing Officers are lack of rninput, poor police-community relationship, societal negative attitude towards police, lack rnof well-designed strategy because the concept of community policing was new, shortage of rnskilled manpower in the study area. As a result, there are high robbery, insecurity and rninstability, rape, chaos, prostitution, and illegal street traders. This study revealed that rnnon- institutional factors are a chronic problem for community policing office successful rnimplementation. Therefore, the community policing office in collaboration with Woreda rnand the sub-city administrator and Addis Ababa police commission should build a rnpermanent police station in different woreda and ketenas to make the area safe and rnhealthy