Capability Assessment of the Barangay Police in Crime Prevention: Input to an Extension Program Development of CCJE

Abstract

This research assessed the crime prevention capabilities of the barangay police in the town of Piat, Cagayan as input to the extension program of the College of Criminal Justice Education. It involved 71 members of the barangay police from four clustered barangays and utilized the descriptive-quantitative research design. A researcher-made questionnaire was used based on the objectives of the study and Local Government Code, particularly on the duties and responsibilities that barangay police in have in crime prevention. Findings revealed that the barangay police do not fully agree that they have all the necessary capabilities to fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Although they reveal strengths in several domains such as in conducting proper arrests, surveillance and traffic management, they have low capabilities in specific indicators. The barangay police are not capable of utilizing self-defense and disarming techniques and they manifest a need for improvement in their capabilities on conducting patrol and fire prevention. They also reveal problems such as insufficient funds, lack of equipment for crime prevention activities and lack of training in crime prevention will further make them effective peacekeepers in their barangay. Specific interventions are suggested to enhance barangay police capabilities.