Community policing has become a vital strategy in crime prevention, emphasizing collaboration between law enforcement and communities. This study explored the lived experiences, strategies, and aspirations of police chiefs in Biliran Island, Philippines, during 2024. A transcendental phenomenological design was employed to capture the essence of participants’ lived experiences. Eleven (11) informants were included through complete enumeration: eight municipal police chiefs, one provincial director, and two deputies, all with at least two (2) years of service in their current posts. Data were collected using a validated interview guide administered in both individual interviews and focus group discussions. Open-ended questions allowed participants to reflect deeply on their experiences. Ethical approval was secured from the University of Cebu’s ethics committee, ensuring adherence to principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy. Informed consent was obtained, and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and verified by participants to ensure accuracy. Colaizzi’s method of thematic analysis was applied, involving familiarization, extraction of significant statements, formulation of meanings, clustering into themes, and validation with participants to establish credibility and reliability. Findings revealed both positive and negative experiences. Positive experiences included duty-bound service and strong community linkage, while negative experiences involved public resistance, political interference, and insufficient resources. Strategies encompassed active engagement, technology-powered communication, and integrity-driven practices. Aspirations focused on strengthening partnerships, enhancing resources, and institutionalizing sustainable programs. The study underscores the dual challenges and opportunities in rural policing, highlighting the importance of self-efficacy, procedural justice, and social cognitive frameworks in shaping effective leadership and sustainable community policing.

Keywords: community policing, police leadership, Biliran Island, phenomenology, strategies, public trust