Public Trust in Nigerian Police: A Test of Police Accessibility Effects

Abstract

Scholarly work on public trust in police has been an ongoing exercise for decades because the level of trust in the police can determine the way the public responds to and supports the police in the fight against crime and criminal, and ultimately can determine the effectiveness of the police organization. While studies in the developed world have examined various variables affecting public trust in police, none has examined police accessibility effects on public trust of the Nigerian Police. This study, therefore, examined police accessibility effect on public trust in the Nigerian Police. To carry out this objective, the study used data from the quality of democracy and governance in Nigeria by Afrobarometer, data Round 6, 2015-2016. Using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis, the study found out that, reaching out to the Nigerian police to request assistance, report crime, volunteer information that may help in solving crime, and to be a witness is problematic, most especially for those in the low socio-economic status and consequently affect the public trust in Nigerian Police.