POLICE SELF-ASSESSMENT OF OPERATIONAL CAPACITY IN AKURE, ONDO STATE

Abstract

Over the years, there have been public concerns regarding poor Police response to crime in the country. The study investigated Police operational capacity in relation to crime prevention and insecurity in Nigeria. Primary data were generated through a survey design utilizing structured questionnaires as research  instrument. Three hundred and five (305) Police personnel in the State Police Headquarters and six Police Divisions in Akure South and Akure North Local Government, Ondo State participated in the study. Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted during the sample selection processes. Findings suggest that Police operational capacity has been hampered by inadequate manpower, training, funding and operational equipments. Results also show that recruitment and appointment practices do not support efficient operational capacity. However, findings emerged that Police have very functional and effective intelligence and collaboration capacity. Similarly, results show that despite general inadequacy of Police operational capacity, some operational inputs have higher inadequacy measurement than others. The study concludes that there is an urgent need to improve Police operational capacity in Akure and other parts of the country.