Public Perception of the Police and Crime–Prevention in Nigeria

The image of the Nigerian Police as a corrupt and inefficient institution with penchant for human rights abuse has not yet been redressed. Thus, this study investigates the public perception of the police and crime prevention within the Nigerian society. The participants in the study were 1350 members of 15 professional groups in strategic partnership with the Police, selected through the use of both multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques. However, 1125 respondents fully participated in the study. Questionnaire was the major instrument used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The main hypothesis of the study was tested and the result of finding showed that public support and cooperation will significantly enhance police performance in crime management. Furthermore, findings revealed that the police insensitivity to the plight of the people they were statutorily assigned to police has not allowed for smooth relationship between them and the public at large. The police were unfriendly and always in perpetual collision with the members of the public. The study also found that to a very large extent, the police capacity in the discharge of their enormous responsibility of crime-prevention and control was sub-optimal. This deficiency has continued to engender a feeling of deficit, blotting the image of the police in the eyes of the public. The paper concludes that there is urgent need to re-brand the police image in ensuring possible strong collaboration between them and the civil society. This is necessary as a requirement to enhance the overall effectiveness of crime prevention and control in the country.