Abstract

This study aimed to assess public perception on police trust and cooperation in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City. Specifically, it examined police omnipresence, police–community relations, performance and service, and communication, as well as the problems encountered by the respondents. The study utilized a quantitative descriptive research design. A total of eighty (80) respondents, consisting of forty (40) barangay residents and forty (40) police officers from Police Station 3, were selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured survey questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, weighted mean, and the Mann-Whitney U Test. The findings revealed that respondents assessed police omnipresence, police–community relations, performance and service, and communication to a great extent. Significant differences were found between the assessments of residents and police officers across all variables. The most common problem encountered by respondents was the lack of police visibility in the community, followed by issues related to inconsistent information and case follow-up. The study concludes that public trust and cooperation toward the police in Barangay Tandang Sora are generally positive. However, variations in perception between residents and police officers highlight the need for continuous improvement in police visibility, communication, and community engagement. Strengthening community-oriented policing initiatives and collaborative efforts with local government units is recommended to further enhance police–community relations.