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.
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Dr C.O Oyafunke-Omoniyi Date
Supervisor
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Dr S.B Osoba Date
Centre Director
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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
