Gingoog City Colleges Inc.

– College of Criminology Page | 1

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNITY

POLICING INITIATIVES AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION
OF SAFETY IN GINGOOG CITY

A Research Proposal
Presented to the
Faculty of the College of Criminology
Gingoog City Colleges Inc.
Gingoog City

In Partial Requirement
of the subject Criminological Research 2

Almyr John D. Lasco

Jerniño P. Rico

Jric Cris B. Maramion

Louie Jay A. Virtudazo

Prencess Gay T. Balatero

2024
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CHAPTER I

The Problem

This research study seeks to understand the community policing

model as well as police officers perceptions of this common practice

through a convenience survey administered to a sample of sworn police

officers. Community policing initially involved residents who grouped

together to guard and patrol the society. Community policing, also known

as community-oriented policing, is a framework facilitates cooperation

between law enforcement and residents in addressing issues related to

safety, crime, and disorder. A policing ideology known as community-

oriented policing (COP) places a strong emphasis on the cooperative

connection and goodwill that exists between the police and the

community.

However, according to Tondo, et, al. (2020) that the police alone

cannot be responsible for community protection and the quality of life.

Law-abiding citizens need to take some responsibility for their

communities and neighborhoods. Therefore, the police must participate

in the citizen process and rely on the citizens they serve in the policing

process. Instead of just concentrating on law enforcement, this kind of

community-law enforcement collaboration allows for more thorough

solutions to new neighborhood issues. So that there’s an issue of

Community Policing with regards to Public Safety. In specific communities,

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the role of police officers is very significant. It is because societies rely on

police forces in which police are required, as a matter of policy, to

“protect and serve” the community citizens. On the other hand, the police

often rely on assistance and cooperation from the community. The

problem is that the police and society’s connection is not always

harmonious, raising the crime rate. In addition, community policing is an

conceptual and operational strategy that enables the community and

police should collaborate in order to deal with issues of safety, chaos, and

criminality and improve the standard of living for individuals in the

community (Philippine National Security Council, 2011)

It result that community policing cannot drive thrive without the

help of a public that is often suspicious of the police and other state

officials.

Furthermore, Community Policing has been demonstrated to be

successful in raising public safety and lowering crime rates in spite of

these obstacles. As a result, it's critical to keep working toward

successfully implementing Community Policing. In order to help law

enforcement agencies overcome these obstacles and successfully

implement Community Oriented Policing, this study ends some

recommendations. Licate (2023) on the other hand mentioned that

community oriented policing it is an essential elements of decentralization

and community involvement can be difficult to execute because of a

number of obstacles. A lack of resources, a lack of community faith in the

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police, and law enforcement agencies' aversion to reform are some of the

difficulties (Franco,et, al., 2023).

Citizens have a vital role in supplying police with the proof required

to-resolve the crime and the understanding to stop it. But strained ties

between local residents and Police can cause mistrust, rage, and anxiety.

People may believe that the police are biased. The possible problem of

this is Police may be held accountable for a variety of social problems, and

they might believe that they don't deserve acknowledgement for their

efforts, but in the statement of Dotan Haim, et, al. (2018) The problem of

this particularly pertinent to policing, where officers need information

about what is happening in the community to provide services effectively

and efficiently. The citizens give the police information about which

problems are most pressing, the location of crime hot-spots, concerns

about suspicious people or activities, and reports of crimes that have

occurred. The police use this information to allocate their limited

resources to prevent crime and ensure public safety. When citizens don't

trust the police, this whole mechanism gets crushed.

Regardless of how, there is a problem between the people of

community and the law enforcement with regards to Public Safety,

because police is not the only responsible for the safety, but also the

people of community. Public safety is a shared responsibility. Police

cannot succeed without the cooperation of the citizens they serve, and

citizens need police who are accountable to them. Such cooperation

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between law enforcement and the community enables more

comprehensive solutions to emerging neighborhood problems, instead of

the police merely focusing on law enforcement (Schlosser, 2020)

According to Jason Vandgrift (2020) the researchers also found that

crime was likely to flourish in run-down communities or neighborhoods

which create an increased fear of crime by the public. Such fear of crime

and likelihood of being a victim is dangerous because if forces the

residents in these neighborhoods to withdraw in their premises,

abandoning the community safety programs. Community policing has

existed for many years taking different forms over a period of time. The

modern era community policing requires a mutual cooperation between

the police and the public. The cooperation is essential in fighting crime

and maintaining law and order. Through such cooperation, community

policing will be effective in realizing the benefits to both the public and the

law enforcement officers. Moreover, the system will be effective in

improving the relationship between the police and the public.

While a growing body of research explores the relationship between

community policing initiatives and public perception of safety, a

significant gap remains in the literature. Researchers have identified a

critical discrepancy: perceptions of safety often differ significantly

between police officers and the citizens they serve. This disparity raises

important questions about the effectiveness of community policing

strategies and the need for further investigation into the underlying
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causes of this divergence. Understanding the factors contributing to this

gap is crucial for developing effective community safety initiatives that

foster trust and improve public perception of safety.

Theoretical Framework

The study delves into theoretical frameworks including Normative

Sponsorship Social Disorganization Theory, and Communitarian theory

highlighting their relevance to Community Policing and the implications

for building safer communities. Normative Sponsor theory posits that a

significant number of people have goodwill and that cooperation becomes

a necessary factor towards building a harmonious community (Tiedke et

al., 1957) in other terms, according to this theory, the police cannot

achieve any positive transformation without the support of the public.

Furthermore, this theory was formulated within the wider context of the

social structural theory of community policing and, in particular the "social

disorganization theory". Social disorganization has been defined as a

decrease in the influence of existing rules of behaviour upon individual

members of a group (Thomas and Znaniecki, 1980). This theory argues

that there is a direct relationship between higher rates of deviance and

the increased complexities of urban life.

However, according to Rosenbaum (1987) that if crime is the result

of social disorganization, police departments should work to improve

social control by strengthening community ties and by encouraging

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behaviour that provide a basis or regulating conduct; in essence, work

with communities to help them regulate the conduct of their members. A

common methodology used by police agencies to improve social control in

community areas is order-maintenance policing based on what has come

to be known as broken windows theory. While Communitarian theory

(Etzioni, 1998) in community policing is maintains that the individuals are

shaped by the communities to which they belong and thus owe them a

debt of respect and consideration. And as such, they readily tend to

cooperate with the law enforcement agencies which assure them of peace

and order in their respective communities.

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Conceptual Framework

Schematic Diagram of The Relationship Between Community Policing

Initiatives and Public Perception of Safety In Gingoog City.

INDEPENDENT DEPENDENT
VARIABLE: VARIABLE:

Demographic Profile

 Age

 Sex

Community Policing
Initiatives

 Community-Based
Approaches
Public Perception
of Safety
 Building Trust and
Communication

 Addressing Specific
Concerns
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This research aims to explore the relationship between community

policing initiatives and public perception of safety in Gingoog City. There

are two variables which are Community Policing Initiatives as Independent

Variable and Public Perception of Safety as Dependent Variable.

Community Policing focuses on addressing the root causes of crime

rather than simply reacting to incidents. This proactive approach can lead

to a reduction in crime, which in turn contributes to a greater sense of

safety for residents also Community policing emphasizes building trust

through open communication, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.

When citizens feel heard and respected by the police, they are more likely

to trust them and perceive them as legitimate authority figures and lastly

Community policing encourages more frequent and positive interactions

between police officers and residents.

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Statement of the Problem

This research aims to investigate the relationship between community

policing strategies and public perception of safety in Gingoog City.
Specifically, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the Demographics profile of the respondent in terms

of;
1.1 Age; and
1.2 Sex?

2. How do the respondent assess community policing initiatives

considering;
2.1 Community-Based Approaches
2.2 Building Trust and Communication
2.3 Addressing Specific Concerns

3. How do the respondent perceive public safety?

4. Is there a difference between community policing initiatives

assessment when group according to profile?

5. Is there a significance relationship between community policing

initiatives and public perception of safety?
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Hypothesis

This study examines the relationship between community policing

initiatives and public perception of safety in Gingoog City. While

community policing is often touted as a strategy to improve public safety

and build trust with law enforcement, the effectiveness of these initiatives

in shaping public perceptions remains a subject of debate. To investigate

this relationship, we will test the following hypotheses: Our null hypothesis

states that;

Null Hyphotesis (H0): there is no statistically significant relationship

between community policing initiatives and public perception of safety in

Gingoog City.

Significance of the Study

The significance of the study is the importance of the study for the

research area and its relevance to the target group. As stated in the

introduction, there is a problem between the police and citizens regarding

safety. This issue arises because if the police fail to cooperate with

citizens and solely focus on law enforcement, they cannot effectively

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address the public perception of safety. A collaborative approach is crucial

for building trust and ensuring a sense of security within the community,

especially since the police are expected to "protect and serve" the

community. However, as stated in my introduction and supported by

Rhena Fe P. Tondo, et al. (2020), the responsibility for public safety

extends beyond the police. We, as citizens, are also responsible for

contributing to public safety and perception. By working together, we can

achieve the level of safety we desire.

Scope and Delimitation

This research investigates the connection between crime prevention

programs and how safe people feel in Barangay 18-A, Gingoog City. We

are specifically looking at how current crime prevention programs, such as

neighborhood watch groups, community patrols, and safety awareness

programs, are affecting how safe people feel. The study will measure how

safe people feel by asking them about how safe they feel in different parts

of Barangay 18-A, how effective they think the police are, if they have had

any bad experiences with crime, how much they trust the police, and how

confident they are that the police can keep them safe. This research will

only focus on Barangay 18-A and how crime prevention programs are

working right now. We will not look at how these programs worked in the

past or how other things like crime rates or economic conditions affect
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how safe people feel. We will collect information using a survey given to

adults aged 18 and older in Barangay 18-A. The survey will also ask about

their age, gender, and their socioeconomic status.

Chapter 2

REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This realated literatures and studies presented in this chapter came from a mix of

foreign and local sources. This chapter aims to incorporate external information relevant to

the researchers' chosen topic. The researchers have considered all the information provided in

this chapter to be crucial to their study.

Related Literature

Foreign

In their 2020 article, "Assessing the impact of community policing on public trust and

police legitimacy," Gibson and Watson explore how community policing initiatives influence

public trust in law enforcement and the perceived legitimacy of police forces. Their research

highlights the significant role that community policing plays in shaping public perceptions,

emphasizing the importance of direct interaction between police officers and community

members to foster trust and collaboration. However, In their 2020 article, "Community-

oriented policing to reduce crime, disorder and fear and increase satisfaction and legitimacy
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among citizens: A systematic review," Gill, Weisburd, Telep, Vitter, and Bennett conduct a

comprehensive review of the effectiveness of community-oriented policing (COP). They

systematically analyze existing studies to determine how COP initiatives impact crime rates,

public disorder, fear of crime, and citizens' satisfaction with and perception of police

legitimacy. Their review finds that COP can lead to modest reductions in crime and

significant improvements in community satisfaction and perceived legitimacy of the police.

Morover, In "Police Innovation: Contrasting Perspectives," Weisburd and Braga (2019)

explore various innovative policing strategies, including community-oriented policing, and

critically analyze their effectiveness and impact on public safety and trust. They provide a

comprehensive overview of how these innovations are implemented in different contexts and

the challenges they face. Addionally, In Skogan study “The Llimits of Community Policing’

2019, He argues that while community policing has many theoretical benefits, its practical

application often falls short due to a range of factors including resource constraints, lack of

community engagement, and resistance within police organizations. The author analyzes

various community policing programs and initiatives, highlighting both their successes and

shortcomings.

Local
The article "Public Perception on Job Performance of PNP Personnel" is relevant to
this study on "The Relationship between Community Policing Initiatives and Public
Perception of Safety in Gingoog City" because it explores how the public views the
performance of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Understanding public perception of
police effectiveness and behavior is crucial for analyzing how community policing initiatives
impact feelings of safety and trust in law enforcement, which are key components of your
research. The article "Public Perception of Police Performance in Urban and Rural Areas of
 Gingoog City Colleges Inc. – College of Criminology Page | 15

the Philippines" is related to your study on "The Relationship between Community Policing
Initiatives and Public Perception of Safety in Gingoog City" because it provides comparative
insights into how police performance is perceived differently in various settings.
Understanding these perceptions can help identify the specific factors that influence public
trust and safety in Gingoog City, aiding in the evaluation and improvement of community
policing initiatives in your research context.

Related Studies

Foreign

The article titled "Community policing does not build citizen trust in police or reduce

crime in the Global South," published in Science, (2021). Provides critical insights and

empirical evidence that directly relate to the core themes of my research. This study examines

the effectiveness of community policing initiatives within the unique socio-economic and

institutional contexts of the Global South, which is the primary focus of my work.

By highlighting the limited impact of these initiatives on building citizen trust and reducing

crime, the article underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in implementing

community policing in regions characterized by systemic issues such as corruption,

inadequate resources, and socio-economic disparities. These findings are crucial for my study

as they offer a nuanced understanding of the barriers to effective community policing and

emphasize the need for comprehensive structural reforms. Martinez (2021) explores the

nuanced impacts of community policing strategies on public perception in urban

neighborhoods, revealing that while such initiatives can improve community relations in
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some contexts, they often fall short in areas with deep-seated socio-economic challenges and

institutional weaknesses."

This article is pertinent to your research as it provides an in-depth analysis of the conditions

under which community policing can either succeed or fail in urban settings, which are often

reflective of broader trends in the Global South. Martinez’s findings underscore the critical

role of socio-economic and institutional contexts, aligning with your focus on the challenges

faced by community policing in the Global South. By examining similar dynamics, this study

offers comparative insights that can enhance your understanding of the factors influencing the

effectiveness of community policing in different regions.

Local

Accordig to Philippine National Police (PNP) in Region X, The survey results indicate that

community engagement have had a mixed impact on public perceptions of safety, security,

and trust. While some communities report improved relations and a greater sense of security,

others remain skeptical due to persistent issues of corruption, lack of accountability, and

inadequate police presence. However, The study found that community policing initiatives in

Ozamiz City have led to mixed perceptions regarding their effectiveness in crime prevention

and public safety. While some residents reported feeling safer and more secure, others

remained doubtful due to ongoing issues of corruption and inadequate police presence.

Communities have varying perceptions of safety when it comes to community policing.

These perceptions are influenced by factors such as the level of police engagement, the
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prevalence of corruption, and the adequacy of police resources. While some communities

may feel safer and more secure, others may remain skeptical and distrustful due to persistent

systemic issues.

SYNTHESIS

The study on the impact of community policing in Philippines, found that community

engagement and problem-oriented policing interventions did not significantly affect crime

victimization, perceptions of insecurity, trust in police, police abuse, or citizen cooperation.

These findings suggest that the effectiveness of community policing initiatives may vary and

highlight the need for further research to understand the conditions under which such

programs can be successful. However, In their article "The Economics of Policing and Public

Safety," Owens and Ba (2021) emphasize the importance of balancing crime reduction and

legitimacy costs in policing strategies. They argue that effective police actions must not only

focus on reducing crime rates but also maintain public trust and legitimacy. This perspective

aligns with the core principles of community policing, where fostering positive police-

community relations is critical for enhancing public perception of safety. Their findings

suggest that a balanced approach in policing can lead to better public safety outcomes,

supporting the hypothesis that community policing initiatives can positively influence public

perception of safety in specific locales like Gingoog City.

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The article titled "The effects of community policing on fear of crime and perceived safety:

findings from a pilot project in Trinidad and Tobago" by Maguire et al. (2017) discusses the

impact of community policing on residents' fear of crime and their perceptions of safety. The

study found that community policing initiatives can significantly reduce fear of crime and

increase perceived safety among residents. Morover, In their 2020 article, "Assessing the

impact of community policing on public trust and police legitimacy," Gibson and Watson

explore how community policing initiatives influence public trust in law enforcement and the

perceived legitimacy of police forces. Their research highlights the significant role that

community policing plays in shaping public perceptions, emphasizing the importance of

direct interaction between police officers and community members to foster trust and

collaboration.

This research can be useful for the researchers of their study which is the relationship

between community policing initiatives and public perception of safety in Gingoog City by

providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of community policing strategies in similar

contexts. The findings suggest that implementing community policing in Gingoog City could

potentially enhance residents' feelings of safety and reduce their fear of crime.
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CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the research design, research location, study

participants, research instrument, data collection procedure, scoring

procedure, and statistical treatment.

Research Design

The descriptive research design was used in this study. Descriptive

research is a methodological approach that seeks to depict the

characteristics of a phenomenon or subject under investigation. The

primary goal is to systematically observe and document all variables and

conditions influencing the phenomenon (Singh, 2023). As a result, the

researchers began by collecting and analyzing quantitative data.

Quantitative research design methods are specific techniques and

approaches for collecting and analyzing numerical data (Jain, 2023).

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Further, it will employ a qualitative survey to solidify the outcome of the

quantitative data.

It attempted to examine the relationship between community

policing initiatives and public perception of safety in Gingoog City. The

survey questionnaire was the source of primary data which was

supplemented by the responses that were generated from a focus group

discussion where health safety protocols were carefully observed.

Research Locale

The study was conducted in Barangay 18-A, Gingoog City,

considering that this barangay is the most populated in Gingoog City,

Misamis Oriental, Philippines. Gingoog is officially a 1 st class city in

Misamis Oriental, Philippines. Gingoog has an overall population of

136,698 people, based on the Philippine Statistics Authority's 2020

Census of Population and Housing. Gingoog is approximately 122

kilometers east of Cagayan de Oro City and 74 kilometers west of Butuan

City.

1
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Figure 2. Map of Gingoog City

Sampling Design

The study employed simple random sampling, in which respondents

were drawn at random from the total population. Simple random sampling

is a method in which a researcher selects a random subset of a larger

group or population. Simple random sampling gives each member of the

group an equal chance of being selected. The method is widely used in

statistics to generate a sample that is representative of the larger

population (Horton, 2024).

The total population size of 6230 is based on the 2020 Philippine

Statistics Authority where the sample size of 50 respondents.

Respondents of the Study

This study's population includes 50 respondents who are residents

of Brgy. 18-A, Gingoog City. These respondents were the primary source

of data used to determine the relationship between community policing

initiatives and public perception of safety in Gingoog City. The

respondents of the study were chosen based on their availability at the

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time the survey instruments were floated with the assistance of at least

one barangay official. The respondents are the primary source of

quantitative data.

Research Instrument

A two-part questionnaire was used in the study which covered

questions on community policing initiatives and public perception of

safety in Gingoog City using a four (4) point-Likert scale.

A modified questionnaire consisting of 25 items was prepared to

measure the community policing initiatives and public perception of

safety.

To be able to gather more data, a focus group discussion will be

conducted where fifteen (15) questions per variable will be used.

Reliability and Validity of the Instrument

Three (3) experts were asked to validate the questionnaires

including the guide questions which were used in the conduct of a focus

group interview and discussion. The researcher-made survey

questionnaire was validated using exploratory analysis. The instrument

was validated by three (3) experts in their respective fields of

specialization: one (1) research instructor, and two (2) for (English

instructors).
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Data Gathering Procedures

The researcher will ask the approval from the Barangay Captain by

submitting a letter to the office. Upon approval, the Barangay Secretary

will provide approval notes from the Barangay Captain that questionnaires

were disseminated to the respondents through survey questionnaires

During the first phase, the respondents will answer a survey

questionnaire to gather data such as face-to-face interviews and self-

administered. A study briefer was attached to the questionnaire so that

participants could learn more about the purposes of the study and how to

complete the questionnaires. The researcher gathered the questionnaires

as completed, ensuring that the results were secured.

Scoring Procedure

The study employed a four-point Likert scale to facilitate the

quantification of responses related to determining the relationship

between community policing initiatives and public perception of safety in

Gingoog City.

Table 1 shows the scoring and interpretation of the community

policing initiatives.

Table 1
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Scoring and Interpretation of the Level of Effective of

Community Policing Initiatives

Level of Effective of
Rate Range Description
Community Policing
Initiatives
4 3.26 – 4.00 Strongly Agree Very High
3 2.51 – 3.25 Agree High
2 1.76 – 2.50 Disagree Low
1 1.00 – 1.75 Strongly Agree Very Low

Table 2 presents the scoring and interpretation of the public

perception of safety in Gingoog City.

Table 3

Scoring and Interpretation of the Public Perception of Safety

Level of Public
Rate Range Description
Safety
4 3.26 – 4.00 Strongly Agree Very High
3 2.51 – 3.25 Agree High
2 1.76 – 2.50 Disagree Low
1 1.00 – 1.75 Strongly Disagree Very Low

Statistical Treatment of Data

To analyze the data, the following statistics were considered:

In problem 1, the researchers will use frequency on the

demographic profile of the respondents.

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For problems 2 and 3, the researchers utilized mean and standard

deviation on how respondents assess community policing initiatives and

public perception of safety.

The researcher used Pearson correlation in Problem 4 and 5 to

determine whether there was a significant relationship between

community policing initiatives and public perception of safety in Gingoog

City.