Balancing Authority and Human Dignity: Police Officers’ Lived Experiences of Human Rights-Based Policing in Kidapawan City

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.68354/742138

Keywords:

Human rights-based policing, Procedural justice, Police accountability, Community policing, Police professionalism, Descriptive phenomenology, Philippines

Abstract

Introduction: Human rights-based policing promotes lawful enforcement, accountability, and respect for human dignity. However, limited research has examined how police officers experience and apply human rights principles in everyday law enforcement, particularly in local Philippine contexts.

Objective: This study explored the lived experiences of police officers implementing human rights-based policing in Kidapawan City, Philippines.

Methods: Using Husserlian descriptive phenomenology, the study purposively selected 10 police officers with direct experience in public-facing police duties. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method. Trustworthiness was supported through transcript review, peer validation, documentation of analytical decisions, epoché, and reflexive journaling.

Results: Five experiential dimensions emerged: human rights in daily practice; continuous learning and cultural development; community interaction and accountability; ethical mindset and self-reflection; and balancing enforcement with rights. Participants reported implementing procedural safeguards, engaging in professional development and community relations, and promoting accountability. Challenges included limited resources, unequal training opportunities, justice-system delays, contested allegations, and inconsistent community cooperation.

Conclusions: Human rights-based policing involves balancing law enforcement responsibilities with procedural safeguards, institutional conditions, community relationships, and respect for human dignity. Strengthening this practice requires sustained training, adequate resources, and stronger police-community collaboration. Given the small, purposively selected sample and reliance on self-reported experiences, the findings are context-specific and do not independently verify police compliance or support broader generalization.

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Published

2026-09-08

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): Review of Studies on Criminology, Sociology, and Law

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Copyright (c) 2026 Rico O. Soledad, RCrim., Irene M. Soledad, Nionem T. San Juan, Joesel B. Villegas, Life Gabriel Osumo (Author)

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How to Cite

Soledad, R., Soledad, I., San Juan, N., Villegas, J., & Osumo, L. G. (2026). Balancing Authority and Human Dignity: Police Officers’ Lived Experiences of Human Rights-Based Policing in Kidapawan City. Review of Studies on Criminology, Sociology, and Law, 1(1), 18-34. https://doi.org/10.68354/742138