Date of Award
1-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. in Criminal Justice
First Advisor
Wesley Jennings
Second Advisor
Francis Boateng
Third Advisor
Brian Boutwell
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
This dissertation comprises three studies that collectively contribute to understanding public trust in the Nigerian police. The first study applies three major policing theories namely performance theory, procedural justice theory, and social capital theory to explain the factors that influence trust in the police. The second study offers a comparative analysis of the predictors of public trust in both the police and the courts. The third study examines how individual quality of life, neighborhood structural characteristics, and civic engagement affect public trust in the police. Using nationally representative data from Afrobarometer Round 9, the first study reveals that citizens who perceive the police as effective in controlling crime, fair in their procedures, and who exhibit high levels of generalized trust are more likely to trust the police. Conversely, perceptions of police corruption significantly reduce trust. The second study finds that widespread perceptions of corruption erode trust in both the police and the courts. Additionally, media exposure is associated with lower trust in the police, while higher levels of generalized trust are associated with greater trust in both institutions. The third study shows that individuals living in neighborhoods with better housing and structural resources such as schools and banks are more likely to trust the police. In contrast, those experiencing income deprivation have lower trust levels. Also, civic engagement does not have a significant effect on trust in the police.
Together, these three studies provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors shaping public trust in the Nigerian police. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners aiming to bridge the trust gap and strengthen police-citizens relationships in Nigeria.
Recommended Citation
Kooffreh, Bassey, "Public Attitudes Toward the Nigerian Police: An Examination of Trust Indicators at Micro Levels" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3312.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/3312