Factors Militating against Community Policing in Curbing Kidnapping in Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the factors militating against community policing in curbing kidnapping in Anambra State. The study was guided by two research questions and two hypotheses. The design used in the study was a descriptive research design. The population for the study was 1,620 members of the vigilantee group in Anambra State. The sample size was 321 members of the vigilantee group in Anambra State and was arrived at using Taro Yamane sample size formula. Muti-stage sampling technique was used. The instrument for the study was 11 items sructured questionnaire titled “Factors Militating against Community Policing in Curbing Kidnapping Questionnaire” (FMCPCK). Using Cronbach Alpha, a reliability coefficient of 0.81 was obtained on the ICPCKQ instrument. The two research questions that guided the srudy were responded to using mean and standard deviation. T-test was used for Ho1, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for Ho2. It was found out that some factors such as inadequate funding, lack of fire arms, lack of patrol vehicles, little or no training and development of police staff, illiteracy, use of outdated and insufficient technology among the police, lack of cooperation between the police and the masses, poor initiative and administrative frame work in police system, wide spread corruption and harassment among the police, poor access to vital information are affecting community policing in curbing kidnapping. Based on the findings, The state government should provide the security force with adequate firearms, funding and patrol vehicles.