RELATING LITERATURE AND THEORIES ON STRESS TO POLICE JOB IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The inefficiency and incapability of Nigeria police are common knowledge to Nigerian citizens. Shortage of staff, lack of equipment, lack of good planning, inadequate staff training, poor renumeration, police corruption, police brutality and negative public image are some of the problems confronting Nigeria police. However, the problem of stress is hardly mentioned in the discussions or writings of the myriad of problems the Nigeria police are battling with. This paper, therefore, examined the problem of stress among Nigeria police. It discussed the causes of stress as appeared in the literature and related the same to Nigeria police. The effects of stress, theories of stress and the interventions for the police job stress were also discussed in the paper in line with the police job context in Nigeria. Teachings on management of stress, employment of counsellors and psychologists on stress, government interventions, engagement of religious strategy of addressing the problem of stress, peer group counselling, establishment of welfare programs for the police officers, establishment of more hospitals, clear command structure, motivational practices, social supports at different level, improvement on working conditions, conflict resolution programs, teaching on decision making, interpersonal skills and training, time management, autogenic training, bio-feedback training, muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercise were recommended as ways to address the problem of stress, both at the level of primary intervention and secondary intervention.