Police Productivity in Criminal Investigation: An Assessment of the Performance Problem in the Gullele Sub-City Police Department
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Crime is among the major social problems that challenges society. It is, therefore, very
important for Social Work practitioners to study just how the criminal justice system operates.
Among the various components of the criminal justice system the police are very crucial to
the public demand for justice. Bearing this in mind, this study focuses on the productivity of
the police, and whether they deal effectively and efficiently in controlling crime. Because of
the complexity of the police tasks, this research thesis limits itself to on the field of criminal
investigation.
The research report is intended to assess the performance problems observed in one of
the sub-cities in the city of Addis Ababa. The research basically answers questions such as, Is
there a standard to measure performance in the criminal investigation? What is the existing
practice of measuring performance? Are the complainants satisfied with the performance of
the police? How do the police and the prosecutors evaluate the performance level of the
criminal investigation section? Finally, it recommends a comprehensive approach which the
whole police department can implement. The assumption is that the productivity of each
section is strongly dependent on others. Thus, the initiative only in one section cannot
materialize.
With regard to the study approach, both survey and non-survey methods were applied.
Questionnaires were administered to assess the satisfaction level of complainants. Key
informant interviews were conducted with detectives, detectives' supervisors, and prosecutors.
Police statistics were also analyzed. The results were analyzed based on a triangulation
method.
The main findings of the study show that there is an absence of uniform measurement
standards in the field of criminal investigation; there is an inadequate level of knowledge and
skill on the part of the detective, along with extremely large work loads which cause most
cases to be inadequate for prosecution; there is an incompetent leadership, poor motivation,
and ethical problems, that decrease police productivity. Lastly the study reveals that the
country's police departments have no clear and uniform direction.
Based on these findings, the researcher concludes that it is difficult to say that the subcity's
police have made progress over the last three years. Based on the overall responses by
the police and the prosecutors, the performance level in criminal investigation is not at a good
level. Therefore, the study report finally suggests that a uniform application of communityoriented
policing is the best strategy to improve police productivity
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Social Work