Examining the awareness and concerns of nigerians towards community policing, and their willingness to participate using technology

Abstract

Community policing (CP) has been recognized as instrumental in addressing problems of safety worldwide. However, this initiative is of low effect in Nigeria as its practice decreases daily, despite CP technological innovations, reflecting a gap in understanding citizens’ awareness, concerns, and willingness to use technological solutions for community policing engagements. To address this, our study explores Nigerians’ awareness and concerns about CP initiatives, and uncovers insights regarding their willingness to use technology to support the programme. Surveying 1200 participants online from all six geopolitical zones, our findings reveal significant unawareness among citizens regarding key aspects of community policing, despite its potential to reduce crime, improve safety perceptions, and strengthen community-police relationships. Nevertheless, substantial proportions (86%) are willing to use technologies to participate in community policing engagements. This study serves as an initial phase in an ongoing Human Computer Interaction research endeavor focused on exploring the integration of technologies for community policing enhancement in Nigeria. The findings not only inform the trajectory of subsequent research phases but also offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to enhance law enforcement practices and community engagement strategies in Nigeria