The increasing crime rate and apparent reduction in combatting crime by law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian Police, deserve attention from a psychological point of view. This study examined the extent to which locus of control and emotional intelligence (EI) predict readiness to combat crime among police officers in Osun State Police Command, Nigeria. The study used primary data embedded in a descriptive survey design. A multistage sampling technique was adopted to obtain data from the sample population. Three police area commands in Osun State, namely Osogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa, were selected for the study. The sample comprised 258 police officers selected using a stratified random technique with different units of command as the basis of stratification. Three instruments, the Work Locus of Control Scale, Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale and Readiness to Combat Crime Scale were used. Data were analysed using descriptive (percentage count) and inferential statistics (linear regression and t-test). The results showed that locus of control did not significantly predict readiness to combat crime among police officers in Osun State Command [ F(1,214) = 0.371; p > 0.05], whereas EI [ F(1,225) = 131.045; p < 0.05] did. The study concluded that EI successfully predicted readiness to combat crime among police officers in Osun State Command, whereas locus of control had no influence.
Police effectiveness in crime combat may not necessarily depend on how well they are remunerated or the quantity of equipment made available to them, but the quality of cooperation receives from the members of the public and their sexual orientation may also lend credence. Therefore, this study examined the extent to which social support and gender predict readiness to combat crime among police officers. This was done with a view to identifying psychosocial factors that predict readiness to combat crime among police officers in Osun State Command. The study used primary data embedded in descriptive survey design. Multistage sampling technique was adopted in determining and obtaining data from the sample population. Three police area commands namely Osogbo, Ile-Ife and Ilesa were purposively selected for the study. The sample consisted 258 police officers who were selected using the stratified random technique with different units of Command as a basis of stratification. Two instruments: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Readiness to Combat Crime Scale (RCCS). Data collected were analysed using both descriptive (percentage count) and inferential statistics (linear regression and t-test). The results showed that social support significantly predicted readiness to combat crime among police officers in Osun State Command [F (1, 226) = 17.538; p < 0.05]. However, there was no significant gender difference in readiness to combat crime among police officer in Osun State Command [t (224) = 0.186; p > 0.05]. The study concluded that social support successfully predicted readiness to combat crime, while gender had no influence on readiness to combat crime among police officers in Osun State Command.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.