Sociology and Criminology-Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

An Assessment of Community Policing-Oriented Training Programme in Benue and Lagos States, Nigeria

Arisukwu O

The increase in crime rates and poor police-public relations in crime prevention and control has led to the dissatisfaction with traditional policing style of enforcement. The clamor for change in policing focus has led to the emergence of community oriented policing. Community policing is a policing style that allows the police to partner with the public in crime prevention and problem solving in the community. This change in policing style requires a corresponding change in training focus and methods. Studies on community policing-oriented training have largely been general in nature without paying much attention to the training content and post-training challenges. This study therefore, assessed the perceived influence of community policing-oriented training on police interactions with the public in crime prevention in Benue and Lagos States. Gap theory was adopted as theoretical framework Questionnaire was administered to 600 respondents selected through simple random sampling method, while post-training observations, twenty one in-depth interviews (IDI) and six Focus Group Discussions (FGD) sessions were conducted among purposively selected police trainers, divisional police officers and key community leaders. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and T-test while qualitative data were content-analyzed. There was a significant relationship between years of policing experience and the perceived relevance of training materials to daily policing experience (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between years of policing experience and effectiveness of community policing-oriented training in crime prevention among the trainees p<0.05). However, post-training field observation indicated the complaints of unfriendly attitude on the part of officers towards the public. The study concluded that community oriented policing style is good for Nigeria, but the police need to demonstrate a positive attitudinal disposition towards the public so as to earn their trust and confidence in crime prevention and control. Emphasis of the training should be more of practical rather than theoretical demonstrations in class. The members of the public needed to be adequately sensitized to embrace this new policing style and form a synergy with the police in their community.