Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Community Policing Among Stakeholders in Rivers State

Nsiegbe Graham; PhD; Ibezim Aniekan Rita

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.11no7.2025.pg339.363

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Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Community Policing Among Stakeholders in Rivers State

Nsiegbe Graham, PhD, Ibezim Aniekan Rita

Abstract

Community policing is increasingly gaining traction as a veritable approach to tackling internal security and reducing crime in local settings in Nigeria. This modest paper assesses perceptions and attitudes towards community policing among key stakeholders and community members in selected local government areas in Rivers State. The paper is anchored on the Community Engagement Theory as its analytical framework. The cross-sectional research design was adopted as a strategy for generating data. Population of the study consisted of 1,793,500 persons drawn from three purposively selected local government areas of Rivers State. A sample size of 400 respondents for the study was determined using the Taro Yamene formula for determining sample. Data was mainly primary and was collected by the use of 4- point modified Likert Scaled Structured Questionnaire titled: Community Policing and Internal Security in Rivers State (QCPSIN). This was complimented by relevant baseline data gleaned through observations, interviews and textual materials. Collected data were presented in tables and in other statistical forms and were analyzed via the use of simple percentages and descriptive statistics while, the single hypothesis that guided the study was tested using the chi- square. The paper revealed among others that; there is a significant difference in the perceptions and attitudes of community members and police officers towards community policing. As such, the paper concludes that community policing have challenges that include disparity in attitudes, perception and participation between community and police officers. Accordingly, the paper recommends among others, that there should be the implementation of targeted sensitization campaigns through local media, social media platforms, community fora and traditional channels by both the government and local community leaders in other to educate the public about the benefits of community poli

Keywords

AttitudeCommunityPerceptionPolicingSecurity.

References

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Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Community Policing Among Stakeholders in Rivers State

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