Factors That Constitute Challenges to Community Policing and Security in Anambra State of Nigeria

This study examined the factors that constitute challenges to community policing and security in Anambra State. This study was carried out in Onitsha South local government area of the state. The objective of this study was to identify factors that constitute challenges to community policing and security in Onitsha south local government area. The study made use of survey research design. The method used in collecting data includes primary and secondary sources of data collection. The primary source was on field work which involves the conducting of oral interviews with natives in the LGA, and questionnaires, while secondary data was newspaper, magazine, internet, journals and textbooks. For analysis, tables were used to represent data. The population was limited to adult males and females who are above the age of eighteen years at Onitsha metropolitan area. The sample consists of two hundred and thirty respondents from Onitsha South Local Government area, and was selected using multi stage sampling. Six research questions and three hypotheses were formulated for the study. The data collected from the respondents were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) while hypothesis were tested using Chi-square (X ² ) statistical method. The findings indicated that lack of trust in the police force was the highest factor that constitute challenges to community policing and security in Onitsha South LGA. The findings also indicated that majority of the respondents rate the relationship between the police and the community people as fairly unfriendly. It was therefore recommended there should be an avenue for the police and members of the community to discuss the security problems bedeviling the area and create security awareness in the community.