COMMUNITY POLICING AND SECURITY CHALLENGES IN TARABA STATE

Abstract

This paper investigates the challenges hindering the effectiveness of community policing in enhancing national security in Nigeria. The objective is to explore the concept and implementation of community policing and its implications for national security, focusing on how social structures influence policing outcomes. Despite its strategic adoption to combat rising insecurity, community policing in Nigeria faces persistent issues such as lack of trust between the police and citizens, poor community engagement, insufficient resources, and systemic corruption. Anchored on Social Capital Theory, the study examines how trust, civic networks, and community norms affect cooperation between law enforcement and the public. Using qualitative analysis and secondary data, the paper reveals weak institutional frameworks and limited public trust as major impediments to success. It concludes with recommendations for strengthening social capital, improving police-community relations, and reforming security institutions to enhance national security outcomes.