CRIME CONTROL THE ROLE OF THE POLICE

CRIME CONTROL: THE ROLE OF THE POLICE

 

BY

 

OGUNYOMI OLAITAN AYOOLA

MATRIC NO: NOU142077392

 

 

BEING A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY AND SECURITY STUDIES,

NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA,AWA-IJEBU COMMUNITY STUDY CENTER

 

 

 

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.SC. HONS.) DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY AND SECURITY STUDIES 

 

JANUARY, 2018

­

 

CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this project was carried out by Olaitan Ayoola Ogunyomi, Matric No NOU142077392 of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Criminology and Security Studies, in National Open University of Nigeria, under my supervision.

 

 

 

…………………..                                                                   …………………

Dr C.O Oyafunke-Omoniyi                                         Date

Supervisor          

 

                                                         

…………………..                                                                   …………………

Dr S.B Osoba                                                                Date

Centre Director                                                            

 

         

…………………..                                                                   …………………

Dr Ganiyat Adesina-Uthman                                       Date
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences                                 

 

 

 

DEDICATION

This research work is dedicated to Almighty God who has been and will forever be the source of my strength, my inspiration and my driving force. And to the use of knowledge for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The support and contributions of some people have made this research successfully. In this regard, I appreciate the Almighty God for everything. He has being my inspiration and pillar of strength. My profound gratitude goes to the Sovereign God for his unending grace and mercy amidst all ups and down. The Olowogbogboro who is always there to turn things around for my good.

I am ever grateful to my parents (S/ENGR. J.O. OGUNYOMI & MRS. K.A OGUNYOMI) for their fulltime support and believe in me.

Special thanks to my supervisor Dr Comfort Oyafunke-Omoniyi, whom I count myself lucky to have tapped from her fountain of knowledge.Dr Omoniyi is by all standards an eminent and erudite scholar of international repute. Ma, I must confess, that initially when I discovered that you were to be my supervisor, I trembled at the thought of having to writeunder you. Ma, your guidance throughout the period of this research has positively impacted my life and the quality of this project, you made me believe in myself and brought out the writer in me. May the Almighty God in His infinite mercycontinue to shine on you.

I cannot but appreciate the useful suggestions made by my Study Centre Director Dr. S.B. Osoba, and the entire members of staff in the study centre towards the completion of this project. May God reward you accordingly.

I am highly indebted to many people for their Advice, Ideas, Encouragement and Assistance. My primary thanks goes to those who played a role towards my achievements and those who were inconvenienced during the period of this work in the likes of Prof. Abiola Osuntoye, Mr Adisa Isaiah, Mr Segun Sule, Mr John Fadejola and my siblings Oluwapelumi, Adeyemi, Immanuel and Tanitoluwa for their understanding.

Similarly, I am very grateful to Pst. Adekunle Odukoya and the members of LIVING FAITH CHURCH (WINNERS CHAPEL), AWA-IJEBU; CELESTIAL CHURCH OF CHRIST (ORU 1); CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, and to my fans and friends in school, Fasasi Afeez, Sobande Olamide, Toheeb Tijani, Adedayo Latkem, Olasunkanmi Titilayo, Olajumoke Ebunoluwa and to all my lovely angels who stood by me in times of needs, Commodore loves you all, may Almighty God continue to strengthen you all. We shall all meet at the top.

 

ABSTRACT

Crime has been a major subject of concern throughout human history. No society is free of crime and criminals. The Nigeria Police Force is an agency established by law, and ordained through the Police Act Chapter 4 to ensure preservation of public order and law enforcement as well as prevention and detection of crime. The police plays vital role in the control of crime in any society. The police present the entry point into the criminal justice system either through reports from the public or its own investigation and surveillance. It is a fact that an average citizen has contact with the police more than with any other agency of the criminal justice system.  This study examined the role of the police in the control of crime.

                                                             

The problem-oriented policing theory, doughnut theory, broken window policing, and anomie theory were used as theoretical anchor for this study. Utilizing qualitative design through the use of an interview guide to obtain relevant information from police officers of selected divisions from Ijebu North Local Government in Ogun State. The population for this study was one hundred and forty two and the sample size of one hundred and five, but only five were available for the interview. The data were analysed using content analysis.

 

The legal provisions on the operation and function of police are embedded in section 214(3) and 4 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria just to mention a few. The study equally observes that the Nigeria police has been faced by poor working conditions, manpower issues, and inadequate logistic and working facilities. These have greatly undermined the operational efficiency of the police to prevent and control crime in Nigeria. Consequently, the study recommends amongst other things community policing and assistance from other sister agencies as the police alone cannot control crime.

 

The police must be properly trained, and adequately equipped and well remunerated. The police must also collaborate with other law enforcement agencies and the community by sharing intelligence to facilitate the detection and control of crime in Nigeria. Generally, there should be contentment, as this is the key to combat corruption and perversion of justice.

Keywords: Crime, Criminal, Police, Logistics, Law enforcement.

Word count: 400 words

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page                                                                                                                    i

Certification                                                                                                                ii

Dedication                                                                                                                  iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                                      iv

Abstract                                                                                                                      vi

Table of content                                                                                                          vii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                                                       

1.1       Background to the Study                                                                               1

1.2       Statement of the Problem                                                                               4

1.3       Research Questions                                                                                         5

1.4       Research Objectives                                                                                        5

1.5       Significance of the Study                                                                               6

1.6       Scope of the Study                                                                                         6

1.7       Definition of Terms                                                                                        6

          CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

            2.0       Introduction                                                                                                    7

2.1       Literature Review                                                                                           7

2.2       The Police Itself                                                                                              10

            2.3       Conceptual Clarification onthe Nigeria Police Force                                     11

2.4       History and Development ofthe Nigeria Police Force                                    13

2.5       Organization ofthe Nigeria Police                                                                  15

            2.6       The Objectives ofthe Establishment of the Nigeria Police Force                   17

            2.6.1    Vision Statement                                                                                            19

            2.6.2    Mission Statement                                                                                          19

2.6.3    Strategy                                                                                                           19

            2.7       Statutory Powers, Duties and Functions of Police                                         20

            2.8       Sociological Perspectives of the Functions of the Police                               24

            2.9       The Concept of Crime                                                                                                26

            2.9.1    Crime Prevention and Control in Nigeria                                                       29

            2.9.2    Models of Crime Prevention                                                                           29

            2.9.3    Factors Affecting the Police in the Control of Crime in Nigeria                    30

            2.9.4    The Police and the Community in Control of Crime                                      34

            2.9.5    Inadequacies and Challenges Facing the Nigerian Police                              35

            2.10     Theoretical Framework                                                                                   37

            2.10.1   Problem-Oriented Policing Theory                                                                37

            2.10.2   Discretion “Doughnut” Theory                                                                      38

            2.10.3   Broken Windows Policing                                                                             38

            2.10.4   Anomie Theory                                                                                              39

            2.11     Synthesis of the Theories                                                                               40

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0       Introduction                                                                                                    42

3.1       Research Design                                                                                             42

3.2       Study Area                                                                                                      42

3.3       Source of Data                                                                                                            43

3.4       Population ofthe Study                                                                                   43

3.5       Sample Size                                                                                                     43

            3.6       Sampling Technique                                                                                        44

            3.7       Data Analysis                                                                                                  44

            3.8       Problems Encountered                                                                                    44

            3.9       Validity and Reliability of Instrument                                                           44

            3.10     Ethical Consideration                                                                                     44

           

            CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.0       Introduction                                                                                                    46

4.1       Analysis of Interview and Discussion                                                                        46

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1       Summary of Findings                                                                                     53

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                      53

5.3       Contribution to Knowledge                                                                            54

5.4       Recommendation                                                                                            54

5.5       Implication for Further Studies                                                                      54

References

Appendix