Re-Engineering the Reactive Public Relations Practice of the Nigerian Police for National Security

Oluwasola, Omolola and Obajuluwa, Tiwalola and Ibitoye, Pius (2017) Re-Engineering the Reactive Public Relations Practice of the Nigerian Police for National Security. Research Journal of Mass Communication and Information Technology, 3 (2). pp. 1-16. ISSN 2545-529X

Text 1781-3514-1-SM.pdf - Published Version Download (358kB)

Abstract

This study examines Re-engineering the Reactive Public Relations Practice of the Nigeria Police for National Security using the Lagos State Police Command as a model. Over the years, the Nigeria Police have experienced public scorn and apathy due to unprofessional conducts, delayed and poor response to distress calls from the citizenry, extra judicial killings and extortion amongst others. It becomes necessary therefore to put in place mechanisms that will address the inadequacies in the force particularly as it affects public perception of the institution. The study reviews scholarly writings and theoretical frameworks relevant to the subject of inquiry. Survey and key informant interview methods were used for three study population (50 members of the police, 150 civilians and 5 Professionals, two crime reporters, two public relations consultants and deputy police public relations officer, Lagos command). Several analytical techniques were used to examine relationship among variables under investigation. Findings from the research work indicate that the Nigeria Police Public Relations Department (NPPRD)’s reactive approach should be replaced by a sustainable public relations campaign and perhaps NPF needs to recruit external public relations consultants. The study recommends centralized digitalization of police data base and activities across the country. With this in place, all accidents, riots, intelligence reports, robberies, bombings, and other social vices can be digitally reported, uploaded and collated from the point/state of occurrence thus granting on the spot access to information to key police officers across the country irrespective of their area of jurisdiction. This will militate against Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) and key police officers maintaining an alibi during emergencies and will ultimately reduce the institution’s reactive approach to issues/crisis. Also, hiring external public relations professionals for expertise strategic communication should be embraced. Such effort will achieve unprecedented success when backed by adequate funding by necessary authorities.

Actions (login required)

View Item