THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND CRIME MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The prevalence of crime in the world today is a cause for serious concern for all and sundry. It undermines the social
fabric by eroding the sense of safety and security. Crime impacts on society in a variety of ways according to the
nature and extent of crime committed. It constitutes a problem when its incidence is so rampant in the society as to
constitute a threat to the security of persons and property, as well as social order and solidarity [Onoge 1988]. The
costs of crime are tangible and intangible, economic or social, direct or indirect, physical or psychological, individual
or community. In fact, it is from the cost that the consequences of crime are derived. The cost of crime can be
incurred as a result of actual experience of criminal activities, when there is physical injury, when properties are
stolen, damaged or destroyed. It could also be in the form of psychological and emotional pains as a result of shock
due to the crime done against the victim. Also the cost of crime can be incurred in an attempt to prevent or control
crime. As a consequence of the prevalence of crime in society, the demographic composition may be altered through
mass movement of people from crime-prone areas to areas perceived to be relatively crime-free. This can also lead
to brain-drain and other socio-economic problems. Crime is a threat to the economic, political and social security of a nation and a major factor associated with
underdevelopment; because it discourages both local and foreign investments, reduces the quality of life, destroys
human and social capital, damages relationship between citizens and the states, thus undermining democracy, rule of
law and the ability of the country to promote development. Emile Durkheim considered crime to be an integral aspect
of society and a “normal” social phenomenon in the sense that it has existed in all societies throughout history.
Durkheim believe that malaprohibita crimes (crimes which violates social norms) functions in society as a means of
defining the limits of acceptable behaviour, serving as vehicle for social change by extending and testing those
boundaries.
According to Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (2009:139) “a crime is held to be an offence, which goes beyond the
personal and into the public sphere, breaking prohibitory rules or laws, to which legitimate punishments or sanctions
are attached, and which requires the intervention of a public authority…for crime to be known as such, it must come
to the notice of, and be processed through, an administrative system or enforcement agency. It must be reported and
recorded by the police (or other investigator); it may then become part of criminal statistics; may or may not be
investigated; and may or may not result in a court case.” [Scott and Marshall, 2009]
Furthermore, a normative definition views crime as a deviant behaviour that violates prevailing norms – cultural
standards prescribing how human beings ought to behave normally. This approach considers the complex realities
surrounding the concept of crime and seeks to understand how changing social, political, psychological and economic
conditions may affect the current definitions of crime and the form of legal, law enforcement and penal responses
made by society. For example, as cultures change and the political environment shifts, certain behaviour may be
‘criminalized’ or ‘decriminalized’, which will directly affect the statistical crime rates, determine the allocation of
resources for the enforcement of such laws and influence general opinion.
Law enforcement agencies are agencies set up by law to maintain internal security of the state. For the purpose of
this lectures, this paper shall limit its scope to the role of Nigeria Police Force in the promotion and sustainability of
participatory democracy and the rule of law. The word Police is derived from Greek word “POLIS” meaning that part
of noneclesiastical administration having to do with safety, health and order of the state. Greek policing, meant the act
of governing and regulating the welfare, security needs and order of the city- state in the interest of the public.
The Oxford English Dictionary sees Police as “The department of government which is concern with the maintenance
of public order and safety and the enforcement of law”. It further defined Police as the civil force which is entrusted
with the duty of maintaining public order, enforcing regulations for the prevention and punishment of breaches of law
and detection of crime. From the foregoing, the origin of the Nigeria Police Force dated back to 1861. The Force was
regarded as Hausa Constabulary, which its primary duty was to protect the trade interest of the Royal Company along
the river Niger in the North. This special constabulary metamorphosed into Nigeria Police Force. And by virtue of
section 214 of 1999 constitution, Nigeria Police Force was established. It occupies a very important position in the
maintenance of internal security in democratic society, hence they are given powers by an enabling statute to
disharge their task and bring society to order to avoid anarchy and hardship. Section 4 of Police Act cap 359 law of
the Federation 1990. State the primary duty of the Nigeria Police, this include: i. Prevention and detection of crime ii.The Apprehension of offenders iii. Preservation of law and order iv. Protection of life and property v. The enforcement
of all law vi. Regulation within which they are directly charge vii. Military duties within and outside Nigeria it may require by the Law.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The conflict orientation sees crime in the perspective of the ruling class. They defined crime as an act or behaviour
selectively identified by the few who governed in the society. Society consists of competing interest groups which are
in conflict with each other, due to unequal distribution of wealth which results in inequality in economic and social
powers. According to Quinney (1980), “dominant class creates laws that will protect their own interests. That lower
class crime as a function of miserable life condition and conflict with the interest of the dominant class; and that the
dominant class constructs beliefs about crime which makes the dominant class look good and the powerless look
bad” [Quinney, 1980].
In the Nigerian context in the 21st century, the breakdown of family values, high unemployment rate, the prevalence
of the twin evils of bribery and corruption, and the inability of the police to function effectively in the prevention and
control of crime due to inadequate equipment and demoralized personnel, have all contributed significantly to the breakdown of law and order.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study sought to know the significance of law enforcement agency and crime management in Abuja. Specifically,
the study sought to;
- i. examine the relationship between law enforcement agency and crime management in Abuja.
- ii. examine the role of law enforcement agency in crime management in Abuja.
- iii. examine the different categories of law enforcement agencies in Nigeria
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND CRIME MANAGEMENT