The police constitute a fundamental machinery of the state that ensures the enforcement of law and order and the maintenance of peace, security and stability. Without the police, societies around the world would be overwhelmed by disorder, lawlessness and anarchy. The role and mandate of the police is universal, but variations exist in how citizens of different countries perceive the police, owing fundamentally to their effectiveness and styles of policing. This article examines policing in Nigeria and Britain, with focus on the differences and similarities. The study adopted a qualitative approach using secondary data from books, journal articles, legal frameworks, policy documents, and credible online sources. Data were analysed using content analysis. The paper revealed that the police in Britain and Nigeria interact with the citizens through maintenance of law and order but also by way of arrest, detention, interrogation, bail, response to emergencies. It revealed that Britain operates a Multiple Coordinated Decentralized police force with the police reputed for high level of professionalism. Analyses showed that the Police in Nigeria operate a Centralized system and that a plethora of issues ranging from allegations of bribery and corruption by officers, lack of trust in the police as well as infrastructural deficit constitute serious challenges for policing in Nigeria. The study recommends the deployment of modern policing tactics, equipping the police appropriately for best practice and ensuring police accountability.