CRIME, COMMUNITY POLICING AND SOCIAL DISORDER IN IKOT EKPENE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE
Abstract
This study examined crime occurrence and the role of community policing in moderating its effect on the phenomenon of social disorder in Ikot Ekpene LGA. The incidence of criminal victimization in Akwa Ibom and Ikot Ekpene LGA in particular has raised concerns about social order. This paper adopted a qualitative method of research through the use of content analysis approach. The Normative Sponsorship Theory (NST) of Community policing and the Critical Social Theory (CST) were adopted for its theoretical framework. The study found out that the high rate of criminality which seemingly overwhelms the state security apparatus namely the police constitutes a state of social disorder in the society. It concluded that community-police partnership would be of a great advantage in controlling crime because it is more a preventive or proactive approach than reactive. It recommended, amongst others, that the police should cultivate a culture of service based on humanitarian principles visible in acts of accountability, inclusiveness, objectivity, openness, and being apolitical and sensitive to public opinions and expectations rather than the cruel, forceful and less productive authoritarian style of service that they are used to.
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