Dissocial Personality Traits and Past Experiences Matter in How People Perceive the Police
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Dissocial Personality Traits and Past Experiences Matter in How People Perceive the Police Charles Tochukwu Orjiakor 1 & Moses Onyemaechi Ede 2
&
Chigozirim M. Emebo 1
# Society for Police and Criminal Psychology 2020
Abstract The study investigated the contributions of dissocial traits and experience with the police to police perception. Participants (261: males = 115, females = 146, mean age = 25.87) completed psychometric measures deviant personality traits, police perception, and experience with the police. Regression analysis was used to examine relationship patterns. Results indicated that people detested the police as they got older (β = − 0.19, t = − 2.06, p = 0.04). Also, having an encounter was associated with more negative perception of the (β = − 0.16, t = − 1.97, p = 0.04). Among the dark triad traits, only narcissism predicted police perception such that higher narcissism traits was associated with higher negative perception of the police (β = − 0.46, t = − 2.21, p = 0.03). Findings seem to suggest that the police, especially in Nigeria, needs to do more to improve their connections with citizens; albeit, individual personality disposition matters, and should be a potential issue to consider when the police deals with citizens. Keywords Dissocial traits . Experience . Police . Police perception
Introduction Police organizations work to ensure law and order in society, but in addition, strive to ensure that the public that they serve, trust them and at least perceive them to be effective (Cheng 2015). However, the police, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria, have a poor reputation and are considered one of the weakest institutions (Chatham House 2010). Abuse, torture, extortion, violence, elite defense, bribery, and corruption are often reported by local and international observers (Andvig and Fjeldstad 2008; Amnesty International 2014; Chatham House 2010; Human Rights Watch 2005, 2010; Obe and Odesola 2008). Little wonder, Nigeria ranked worst in a global ranking of policing that considered among other measures, the public view of the police (International Police Science Association [IPSA] 2016). Though it may seem obvious that the notorious abusive style and practices associated with the Nigerian police could be the reason as to * Moses Onyemaechi Ede [email protected] 1
Department of Psychology, Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
2
Department of Educational Foundations (Guidance and Counselling Unit), Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
why they are poorly perceived, an empirical research into factors that contribute to perception of the police is needed. However, studies regarding what fuels this poor reputation are scarce. In the current study, we aim to examine factors that contribute to the poor perception of the police in Nigeria. Abusive/negative attitudes and actions meted from the police toward citizens will certainly earn the police negative perceptions from citizens. Even relatively minor wrongdoings by
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