DETERMINANTS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT IN NIGERIA: THE ROLES OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRESSORS, MORAL INJURY AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
Idowu M. Ogunkuade (PhD) and Akeem A. Kenku (PhD)
Volume 13 Issue 2
Abstract
Police misconduct remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, undermining public trust and the legitimacy of law enforcement institutions. This study examined the role of organizational stressors, moral injury, and demographic characteristics as determinants of police misconduct in Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 90 police officers, comprising 43 males (47.8%) and 47 females (52.2%), drawn from selected police formations. Measures assessed organizational stressors (excessive workload, role ambiguity, role conflict, time pressure, and organizational injustice), moral injury, demographic variables, and police misconduct. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between police misconduct and excessive workload (r = .126, p < .05), role ambiguity (r = .184, p < .05), role conflict (r = .059, p < .05), time pressure (r = .059, p < .05), and organizational injustice (r = .156, p < .05). Simple linear regression analysis indicated that moral injury significantly predicted police misconduct (β = .206, t = 1.974, p = .015). An independent samples t-test showed no significant gender difference in police misconduct, t(88) = −0.542, p = .590, with a negligible effect size (d ≈ 0.11). Univariate analysis of variance further revealed that age (F(4,79) = 1.576, p = .189), religion (F(2,79) = 0.848, p = .432), and their interaction (F(4,79) = 0.971, p = .428) did not significantly influence police misconduct. Overall, the findings demonstrate that police misconduct in Nigeria is significantly associated with organizational stressors and moral injury, while demographic variables exert minimal influence. The study highlights the need for organizational reforms and psychologically informed interventions aimed at reducing occupational strain and moral injury within the Nigerian Police Force. Keywords: Police Misconduct, Organizational Stressors, Moral Injury, Strain Theory, Demographic Characteristics
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