Impact of Community Participation in Community Policing for Crime Reduction in Bida Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Background: Efforts by the government to curb increasing crime rates in Bida community have yielded unsatisfactory outcomes due to rising unemployment, poor community participation, and uncoordinated collaboration. Objective: To investigates the impact of community participation in policing for crime reduction in Bida community. Method: A survey design was adopted to collect primary and secondary data from a population of 502 and a sample of 398 determined using Taro Yamane (1976) formula. The population comprised personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp, Department of State Security, Vigilante Corp, Bida Emirate Disciplinary Committee, Bida Youth Development Association and Heads of the 14 Wards in Bida Local government Area. Data were presented and analyzed using simple percentage, Statistical Packages for Social Sciences and chi-square. Results: Revealed various forms of criminal activities in Bida community due to low level of residents’ participation in policing Bida community. Conclusion: More effectiveness in community policing in Bida community could be achieved through collaborative participation. Unique Contribution: This study contributes to the existing knowledge by highlighting the significant impact of community participation in policing. Key Recommendation: More sensitization and participation for better crime reduction.