Trust and Perceived Safety in Relation to Satisfaction with Police Services

Trust and feelings of safety are key in the establishment of public satisfaction with police service since they dictate the degree to which people trust police in keeping society in order and in meeting the needs of the people. The study explored the significant relationship between perceived trust, safety, and public satisfaction with the police services among the residents of Clarin, Misamis Occidental. This study utilized a descriptive-correlational design. The study was conducted in a rural municipality located in the province of Misamis Occidental, within the broader region of Northern Mindanao, Philippines. Two hundred ninety-five actual respondents of the study answered the questionnaire. A stratified random sampling technique was used in the study. The study found that the public holds high trust in the police, feels safe, and is highly satisfied with police services. Confidence in police action and perceived effectiveness are key factors influencing satisfaction, though emotional safety concerns and crime fears had a limited impact. The study found high public trust in the police, with intense satisfaction in service quality and professionalism. In contrast, confidence in police action emerged as the key predictor of satisfaction, and crime concerns had minimal impact. Law enforcement agencies may focus on building trust, improving tangible public experiences, enhancing effectiveness in crime control, maintaining professionalism, and exploring broader factors like community engagement to increase public satisfaction.