CRIME PREVENTION AND REDUCTION EXPERIENCES OF THE LOCAL PNP UNITS IN THE CARAGA REGION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15875160Keywords:
Crime Prevention, Philippine National Police (PNP), Community Policing, Law Enforcement ChallengesAbstract
This qualitative case study investigates the lived experiences of local Philippine National Police (PNP) units in the CARAGA Region in their efforts to prevent and reduce crime. Anchored in a constructivist epistemological framework and employing a descriptive single-case study design, the research explores the multifaceted challenges faced by police officers in resource-constrained, high-crime municipalities. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with purposively selected key informants, including Chiefs of Police and ranking officers from various 4th-class municipalities. Thematic analysis revealed five overarching themes: (1) operational challenges, including manpower shortages, logistical limitations, and geographical barriers; (2) inadequacy of resources and dependence on local government support; (3) the pivotal role of community involvement in supplementing police efforts; (4) the personal and professional impacts of crime prevention duties on officers; and (5) the intrinsic meaning officers attach to their roles, characterized by resilience, leadership growth, and a strong sense of public service. Findings underscore the need for systemic reforms, including increased funding, strategic staffing, enhanced community-police collaboration, and mental health support for law enforcement personnel. The study contributes to the discourse on rural policing by offering practical recommendations for policymakers, local government units, and civil society aimed at strengthening crime prevention strategies and improving public safety outcomes in underserved regions.
References
Caraga’s Index Crimes Down by 70%. (2025). In PRO13 Regional Public Information Office 13. Retrieved July 13, 2025, from https://www.facebook.com/100067045480464/posts/press-release29-april-2025caragas-index-crimes-down-by-70camp-col-rafael-c-rodri/1003091155269058/
Carr, P. J., Napolitano, L., & Keating, J. (2007). WE NEVER CALL THE COPS AND HERE IS WHY: a QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION OF LEGAL CYNICISM IN THREE PHILADELPHIA NEIGHBORHOODS*. Criminology, 45(2), 445–480. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2007.00084.x
Chopko, B. A. (2010). Posttraumatic Distress and Growth: An Empirical Study of Police Officers. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 64, 55-72.
Eck, J. E. (2002). Police–community partnerships for crime control. In A. Blumstein & J. Wallman (Eds.), The Crime Drop in America (pp. 294–362). Cambridge University Press.
Evolving Strategy of Policing | Office of Justice Programs. (n.d.). https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/evolving-strategy-policing
Heyman, M., Dill, J., & Douglas, R. (2018). The Ruderman white paper on mental health and suicide of first responders. The Ruderman Family Foundation. http://rudermanfoundation.org/white_papers/police-officers-and-firefighters-are-more-likely-to-die-by-suicide-than-in-line-of-duty.
ICJIA | Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. (n.d.). https://icjia.illinois.gov/about/publications/issues-in-policing-rural-areas-a-review-of-the-literature/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
International Association of Chiefs of Police, Bureau of Justice Assistance. (2009, September/October). Engaging volunteers in your law enforcement agency: The Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program. Sheriff, 49.
Lawson, S. G., Wolfe, S. E., Rojek, J., & Alpert, G. P. (2021). Occupational stress and attitudes toward misconduct in law enforcement: The moderating role of organizational justice. Police Practice and Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2021.1946395
Levitt, S. D. (1997). Using electoral cycles in police hiring to estimate the effect of police on crime. American Economic Review, 87(3), 270–290.
Lucy Mason, Skogan, W. G. (2006). Police and Community in Chicago; a tale of three cities., Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, Volume 1, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 244–245, https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pam034
Maguire, E. R., & King, W. R. (2004). Trends in the policing industry. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 593(1), 15–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716203262584
Muir, W. K., Jr. (1979). Police: Streetcorner politicians. University of Chicago Press.
National Research Council. (2004). Fairness and effectiveness in policing: The evidence. National Academies Press.
Purba, A., & Demou, E. (2019). The relationship between organisational stressors and mental wellbeing within police officers: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 19(1286). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7609-0
Rosenbaum, D. P. et al. (2005). Attitudes toward the police: The effects of direct and vicarious experience. Police Quarterly, 8, 343-365. doi:10.1177/1098611104271085
Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and Violent Crime: A Multilevel Study of Collective Efficacy. Science, 277(5328), 918–924. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5328.918
Violanti, J. M., Charles, L. E., McCanlies, E., Hartley, T. A., Andrew, M. E., Fekedulegn, D., & Burchfiel, C. M. (2013). Police and alcohol use: a descriptive analysis of in-car breath alcohol tests. Journal of Emergency Management, 11(2), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2013.0145
Weisheit, R. A., Wells, L. E., & Falcone, D. N. (1995). Crime and policing in rural and small‑town America: An overview of the issues (NIJ Research Report No. 154354). U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 BENSON D. LELENG (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
