Community Policing and Crime Reduction In Plateau State Nigeria

Abstract The security and safety of the society is a responsibility of every member of the society as seen in the traditional informal mechanism of social control, so when the community joins hands with the police to provide security for the community crime prevention will be achieved. Community policing gives room for the police and community to work together to fight crime and fear of crime. The goal of crime reduction, offender’s apprehension, protection of live and properties that have been shoulder on the Nigerian police force and other security agencies is a big responsibility that only police cannot perform effectively without the community’s cooperation and contribution. The government in conjunction with the police management should employ more people in to the force for effective community policing programs because when there is no enough officer to do the job the police will not be able to properly engage with the community. The research used both primary and secondary data. Community policing theory was used. The research recommends that, Traditional leaders, religious leaders, NGOs should enlighten the people on the need to involve in community policing especially the youth in the community and the community should be inform that security is the responsibility of all members of the community. Keywords: Community policing, Crime prevention, Police-community relations, Trust deficit, Plateau State Nigeria.