Abstract:
This study focuses on the assessment of the impact of Image Laundering Programmes of Nigeria Police Force on Nigerians: A Study of South-East Geo-Political Zone. It empirically examined the perceived failures or otherwise of image laundering programmes and policies initiated by successive leadership of Nigeria Police Force. The study investigated the veracity or otherwise of the claim in some quarters that the implementation of such image laundering programmes leaves much to be desired. The study, therefore has the burden of ascertaining through quantitative and qualitative evidence, if the past image laundering programmes of Nigeria Police forced failed; the probable causes of such failures, if such projects are stratagems for siphoning forces image public fund; if corruption among the rand and file of the police force is the major source of the forces image problem, if lack of participatory public relation strategy is an impediment to successful implementation of such reform policies; and the need for evolving enduring strategies for providing permanent solutions to the image problem. First the objectives of the study were set and the research questions and hypotheses designed. Related literature and existing empirical evidence were extensively reviewed. Similarly, survey research method was used for execution of the study. the population of the study encompasses Nigerians from the five states of Southeastern zone of the Nigeria. From these states (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, a total of 300 respondents were selected using Taro Yamane formular. The test instrument was administered to the sample population and 396 fo the instruments (questionnaire) were filled and retrieved. The retrieved data were diversified enough to illuminate all the pertinent areas or issues of the study, including the research problem. In other to complement, validate and authenticate each research output the data were analyzed with various statistical methods such as simple percentages, frequency distribution tables, t-test ANOVA, regression as well as coefficients. The findings among others revealed that series of image laundering programmes introduced by successive leadership of Nigeria Police Force, as resources expanded on them became a huge waste, corruption within the rank and file of the police force was upheld as the major source of Nigerian Police Force’s image problem; it was also discovered that the utilization of wrong remedial measures have not assisted the country’s police force in ameliorating its image problem and more importantly, there is a compelling need for the application of new solution. Aside the 8 point policy issues recommended, the researcher also advocated that similar studies be conducted in other zones of the country to revalidate or refute the findings of the study.
