PATTERNS OF CORRUPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of Study

The Police is one of the most important institutions in the society. They are entrusted with the right to protect the citizen even when that involves the use of violence. More is expected of the Police than most modern professional jobs. They are expected to be brave and not show any human emotion like fear, shock, surprise, etc even in the face of serious tragedies like death, deformity, etc Undoubtedly, peace, safety and security are both necessary and indispensable requirements for development and the attainment of good quality of life for any human society. They provide the requisite enabling environment for citizens to live and work towards social, economic and political development of the society (Groenewald & Peake, 2004). The significance of peace, safety and security to mankind cannot be over-emphasized as the socio-economic and political development of any society depends on the security system available in such society. By the same token, their absence stifles the human capacity to develop and heavily compromises the development and quality of life of both individuals and society. Furthermore, insecurity impacts negatively on all citizens through losses of property, life and limb, or through loss of confidence from fear of violence. It is against this backdrop that the delivery of safety and security is considered a justifiable public good and the very essence of the state (Lubuva, 2004). Human safety and security are indeed human rights having a value of their own and serving an instrumental function in the construction of human contentment and prosperity (Odinkalu 2005).

Over the ages, emerging forms of human, social and political organization have stimulated a necessity for the protection and safety of the individual, family, community and the nation. The need for human security therefore pervades the entire fabrics of human nature and existence, and is at the cornerstone of human and societal development. Hence, human beings and societies since the beginning of time have developed measures to safeguard themselves and their properties against threat. Some of these measures predate the institutionalization of the public police and other uniformed institutions. In the present age, state remains dominant in the security sector; as such, the legitimacy and right of any state over the people can best be upheld only to the extent to which it can guarantee the protection of life and property of its citizens. Therefore, one of the primary duties of the state is to guarantee the peace, safety and security of the citizens, including their protection from social problems.Modern societies are characterized by what can be termed as a state-organized specialist police organization or formal police force. The police are responsible for the enforcement of criminal law, prevention of crime, detection, apprehension, investigation, detention and prosecution of crime suspects.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The effective sustenance of the Nigerian society hinged on an efficient law enforcement process, the role of the police in ensuring social justice, peace and harmony cannot be overemphasized. However, despite the fact that in the administration of justice in Nigeria, the police have the sweeping powers of arrest and prosecution of offenders, the Nigerian State recently has consistently witnessed unquantifiable measure of terror, lawlessness, kidnapping, ethno-religious conflict, social disorder, armed robbery, and senseless vindictive assassinations whose causes and perpetrators have defiled security scrutiny and apprehension. This ugly incidence brings the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Police to questioning and disrepute. Thus, one cannot but agree with the position that Nigeria Police Force is a victim of convoluted systemic corruption which has become pervasive and cancerous in the country‟s public service. This study examine the effect of corruption in public service delivery in the Nigeria police force.

1.3 Objective Of The Study

The general aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of corruption in public service delivery in the Nigeria police force. The specific aims of this study are outlined below:

1. Ascertain the prevalence of corruption among the Nigerian Police Force.

2. Identify the corrupt practices in the Nigerian Police Force.

3. Determine whether the Nigerian Police force's engagement in corrupt practices influences the public impression of its code of conduct and integrity.

4. Ascertain the extent to which police force engagement in corruption affects its statutory role of public service delivery.

1.4 Research Questions

The main focus of this research is to provide a valuable response to the questions below.

1. What is the prevalence of corruption among the Nigerian Police Force?

2. What are the corrupt practices in the Nigerian Police Force?

3. Does the Nigerian Police force's engagement in corrupt practices influences the public impression of its code of conduct and integrity?

4. What is the extent to which police force engagement in corruption affects its statutory role of public service delivery?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: Police force engagement in corruption does not affect its statutory role of public service delivery.

Ha: Police force engagement in corruption affects its statutory role of public service delivery.

1.6 Significance Of The Study

The findings of this study will be beneficial for future research and will add to the body of knowledge. It will educate policymakers about the critical nature of quick reforms to the Nigerian Police Force. It will raise the government's pressure to supervise the Nigeria Police Force's activities continuously to ensure that officers do not exceed their authority or engage in corrupt acts.

Additionally, the findings of this research work will undoubtedly provide the much needed information to government organizations, NPF, individuals, NGOS, and academia on the extent of police engagement in corruption and the effects it has on the citizens.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

The scope of this study is boarded on the effect of corruption in public service delivery in the Nigeria police force. However the study will be delimited to Nigerian Police Force Anambra State.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researcher encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. More so, the researcher simultaneously engaged in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Police: The civil force of a state, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.

1.10 Organization Of The Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows. Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding. Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.