NCJ Number
145995
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: (Fall 1993) Pages: 113-121
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The Nigerian public's attitudes toward its police force was investigated.
Abstract
A 1989 survey of 116 Nigerian citizens revealed generally unfavorable attitudes. More than 90 percent said the police force is an arm of the federal military government that serves the personal interests of the rich and powerful, not those of the people. Nearly 100 percent said that police officers use deadly force in handling public protests. Two-thirds regard police officers as adversaries, not friends or fellow citizens. Three in four said that police officers are never available when needed-- primarily because of self-interest and only secondarily because of a lack of resources. One respondent commented that officers usually demand money to come to the rescue; another said that armed officers at the scene of a robbery have been known to act with indifference or even help the robber. There have been incidents of police framings of innocent persons and killings of protesters with a legitimate grievance against the government. Police recruitment, training, compensation, supervisory, and promotion practices need to be reevaluated. To gain public trust, the force should focus more on white-collar criminals and on fighting crimes that are unquestionably wrong and damaging (e.g., murder, rape, robbery) rather than wasting valuable resources on fighting crimes that are merely prohibited by law (e.g., gambling, prostitution, wandering). 6 tables and 20 references