Benue State University, Makurdi

INFLUENCE OF PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE AND CRIME CONTROL IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS, BENUE STATE

Edward Kuruku
(Department of Psychology, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria +2347062663826, uchoaondoaver@yahoo.com)

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of public attitude towards the Nigeria police force and crime control in Makurdi metropolis, the Benue State Capital. There had been the problem of attitude between the Nigeria police and the general public on issues of human right, brutality, detention without trial, hostility of the police, accidental discharge and other unlawful behaviours on the part of the police, and this has alienated the police from the public instead of cooperation. The specific objectives of the study were to investigate the influence of public attitude towards the police and crime control, examine gender difference in public attitude towards the police and finally to determine the influence of age on public attitude towards the police in Makurdi metropolis. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling technique in collecting data for the study. A total of 200 police personnel and civilians drawn from Makurdi Metropolis were randomly selected for the study. Data was collected using the public attitude towards the police scale to measure public attitude towards the police force. Also used was the crime control Questionnaire. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested. The result for hypothesis one which states that, there will be a significant influence of public attitude towards the police and crime control was confirmed. The second hypothesis which states that, there will be significant gender difference in public attitude towards the police was not confirmed. Lastly, the hypothesis which states that, there will be significant age influence in public attitude towards the police was not confirmed. Finally, the study recommends measures that will address issues bothering on public attitudes towards the Nigerian police, which have direct influence on crime control and safety of the society.

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