This study aimed to develop the best-fit model of police public trust in the context
of community leaders in Region XI. This study used a quantitative research design,
employing Pearson Correlation, Reliability Analysis using SPSS and Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the best-fit model for police public trust. A
self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 435 community
leaders in Region XI who participated in the study. Findings revealed that peaceful
behavior and fear of crime obtained a high level, while contextual victimization
perception posted a moderate level and police public trust acquired a high level.
Results also revealed significant relationships between peaceful behavior and
public trust in the police—still, fear of crime, contextual victimization perception and
police public trust were discovered to be not associated. Further, Model 3 best fits
the public trust of the police in the Davao Region. The regression analysis indicates
a substantial and increasing positive relationship between exogenous and
peaceful behavior. At the same time, fear of crime can lead to less peaceful
behavior and the influence of victimization perception decreases over time. Also,
the covariance analysis shows a strong positive relationship between fear of crime
and victimization perception, a weaker positive link between peaceful behavior and
victimization perception and a nearly significant but weak connection between
peaceful behavior and fear of crime.