Nigerian Police Force and the Rate of Crime Control in Anambra East Local Government Area: a Study of Nsugbe Town of Anambra State

ABSTRACT This study examined Nigerian Police Force and the rate of crime control in Anambra East local government area with reference to Nsughe Town, Anambra State. This study was grounded on three (3) objectives that include to determine the major causes of crime in Nsugbe Town of Anambra East local government area of Anambra state, to determine the effectiveness of the crime control strategy used by the NPF in addressing the problem of crime in Nsugbe Town Anambra State and to determine the strategies needed to eliminate crime in Nsugbe Town of Anambra State. The study adopted the conflict theory and crime control theory as the theoretical framework of analysis. The study adopted survey method. The target population size was 124,942 and the Taro yamane formula was use to get the sample size of 388. The study tested one hypothesis for the study. The study employed the use of a well-structured questionnaire to elicit information from Nsugbe residents. The study found that the Nigerian Police Force plays a role in controlling crime in Nsugbe Town of Anambra state. The study therefore, conclude that the effectiveness of police functioning, and police-community interaction showed a significant predicting influence on crime control in Anambra State, Nigeria, whereas effectiveness of police functioning and police-community interaction had significantly joint predicting influence on crime control in Anambra State. The study recommends that there is need for police to embark on image redemption through seminar, workshop, and media. With that, the masses will understand their vulnerability in crime control and adequate incentive and motivation is need in police organization, this will help raise morale of those in the system and even attract the right caliber of persons into the force needed to be used to control crime.