INFLUENCE OF POLICE CHECKPOINTS ON COMMUNITY SECURITY PERCEPTION AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN COTABATO CITY, PHILIPPINES
Keywords:
Police Checkpoints, Community Security Perception, Public Safety, Trust in Law Enforcement, Social CohesionAbstract
This study investigates the influence of police checkpoints on community security perception among students in Cotabato City, Philippines, focusing on the effectiveness of such measures in enhancing public safety. Police checkpoints are commonly used to deter crime and maintain order, but their impact on public trust and perceptions of security can vary, articularly in communities with complex security challenges. The study explores how factors like the frequency, visibility, and operational methods of police checkpoints shape residents' sense of safety, trust in law enforcement, and social cohesion. A descriptive correlational research design was employed, gathering data from one hundred college students at Headstart College in Cotabato City. Statistical analysis Spearman Rank Correlation revealed a test statistic of 4,985.00 and a p-value of 0.412, which is greater than the conventional level of significance 0.05, indicating no significant relationship between the overall mean of 4.17 in terms of level of influence of police checkpoints, driven by frequency (4.08), visibility (4.24), and operational methods (4.18) and the community security perception with overall mean of 4.19, which encompasses perceived safety (4.24), trust in law enforcement (4.18), and social cohesion (4.14), suggesting that well-managed, frequent, and visible checkpoints align with the residents' overall sense of security with consistent policing practices in promoting a safer and more cohesive community. Recommendations include supporting community policing initiatives, enhancing police training in community engagement, and further research to explore best practices in policing across different regions. The study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discussion on the role of police checkpoints in urban security and community-police relations.
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