STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined assessment of the role of police community relations in crime prevention in federal capital territory, 2009-2020. Community and police relationship stand as a paradigm shift that seeks to focus on constructive engagement with people who are the end users of the police service and re – negotiate the contract between the people and the police thereby making the community co – producers of justice and a quality police service. The research is an assessment of police community relations in crime prevention in the FCT. The spate of insecurity in the FCT is really alarming. The study reviewed relevant theoretical framework and Empirical Review. Descriptive research design will be adopted in this study, the population of study are 2,271 staff. To determine the sample size, Taro Yamane formula was adopted and questionnaire were administered to respondents across all staff of Force Headquarters in Abuja, FCT Police Command. Non-probability sampling technique was used in this study and therefore, simple percentages were used in allocating questionnaire to the sampling units to reflect their population weights. Primary and secondary sources of data were used in this study. The rationale for this is to ensure that adequate data is generated for the study. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were adopted in this study. Quantitative analysis was done using descriptive and correlation analysis. Chi-square analysis is adequate for test of hypotheses because it is appropriate for the test of heterogeneous populations. Simple correlation coefficient is adequate to test hypothesis 1 because it establishes association between two variables. Proportional stratified random sampling is adequate because the sampling units are heterogeneous in character. Therefore, the role of police community relation in crime prevention in Federal Capital Territory cannot be overemphasized. In hypothesis one which is that: there is no significant relationship between police and community in crime prevention in the FCT, the respondents are of the view there is no relationship between the community and police in the FCT. Majority of the responded are optimistic that if the police continues to relate and keep boosting the confidence of the community, the will continuously get the assistance of the community in crime prevention. The Nigeria police are granted enormous powers by law and the constitution to take preventive measures against the commission of all crimes in Nigeria. In this sense, the law allows them to use such reasonable force as may be necessary for the prevention of crimes. In the exercise of this authority, they have in various ways malevolently violated the rights of members of the public with impunity. This practice has earned the Nigeria police different derogatory names, hatred and constant collision with the members of the public to whom they sworn an oath to protect. Government should direct effort at dealing with the cause of crime, that is, correction of the conditions that make crime a valuable alternative to law abiding behaviour. Government should also ensure jobs are made available for the teeming population of school leavers of all categories to forestall the probability of some of these joining criminal gangs.