Community Relations, Public Trust and Confidence of Police Personnel as Evaluated by Constituents

Abstract

This study assessed community relations, public trust, and public confidence of Police Personnel as evaluated by constituents in one municipality in the Negros Island Region during fiscal year 2026. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed with 160 residents from 16 barangays, with ten respondents purposively selected from each barangay. Data were gathered using a modified standardized questionnaire that demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe respondents’ assessments, and the relationships among the variables. Findings revealed that community relations, public trust, and public confidence were all assessed at a very high level. Significant positive relationships were found between community relations and public trust, community relations and public confidence, and public trust and public confidence. These findings indicate that more favorable assessments of police-community relations were associated with stronger perceptions of trust and confidence in Police Personnel. The study provides an empirical basis for strengthening community-oriented policing, responsive service delivery, transparency, accountability, and collaborative police-community partnerships.