PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF POLICE AND POLICING IN SELECTED RURAL COMMUNITIES OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Public trust and legitimacy are critical for effective policing, yet rural communities in Nigeria remain under-studied in police-citizen relations research. This study examines public perception of the Nigeria Police Force and policing in selected rural communities of Akwa Ibom State. The study was guided by Procedural Justice Theory and employed a mixedmethods research design. A sample of 200 respondents was selected from 5 rural Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and 10 Key Informant Interviews with traditional rulers, DPOs, and vigilante leaders. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that majority of respondents perceived the police as "not effective" in crime prevention and response. Major factors influencing negative perception include alleged corruption and extortion at checkpoints, poor response time, lack of patrol logistics and disrespectful conduct by officers. However, respondents still indicated preference for the police over vigilantes in handling serious crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery. The study also found that communities with active police-community meetings and involvement of traditional rulers recorded higher trust levels. The study concludes that negative perception in rural Akwa Ibom State stems more from procedural injustice and capacity gaps than from crime rates alone. It recommends institutionalization of community policing, improved rural logistics, anti-corruption measures, and formal integration of traditional institutions into the security architecture to enhance legitimacy and cooperation.