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EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS PREDICTORS OF POLICE OFFICERS PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The corporate image of the Nigerian police force has been under severe attack in recent times. This is due to the fact that the relationship of the police force with the public is rated poor (Aremu, 2005). The important variable of interpersonal relationship which is pivotal in emotional intelligence is lacking in the Nigerian Police couple with fact of allegation of corruption. (Adeyemo, 2004; Adeyemo and Ogunyemi, 2005; Aremu, 2005).  According to Ashforth and Humphrey (1995), emotional intelligence is essential for the effective interaction and wellbeing of man with its society. A definition of emotional intelligence proffered by Mayer and Salovey (1993) states that emotional intelligence constitutes the capacity to monitor and evaluate one’s personal and other people emotions with view of obtaining information to guide one’s thinking and actions.

The concept of social intelligence constitute the foundation for emotional intelligence, Thorndike (1920), stated that social intelligence is concerned with effective human relation  through the  understanding and ability to and manage human relationships to act wisely. A theory of multiple intelligences propounded by Gardner (1993) classify emotional intelligence into interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligence.  Interpersonal intelligence concerns the ability to understand other people, while intrapersonal intelligence is concerned with the ability to understand self.

Salovey and Mayer (1990) identified five segment of emotional intelligence Self-awareness which is the ability to observe and identify one’s personal feelings managing one’s personal emotions appropriately inspiring oneself and directing one’s emotions to appropriate goals. He further identified empathy - being sensitive to the feelings of others and managing it appropriately. This various dimensions of emotional intelligence indicate its importance in private and corporate organization.

Goleman (1995) identify emotional intelligence as the skill which enables people harmonize. The definitions proffered by various authors reveals the importance of emotional intelligence as an effective leadership skill. The Study Seeks to proffer an appraisal of Emotional intelligence as predictors of police officers psychological wellbeing.

1.1       STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The Nigerian Police Force constitutes one fundamental unit of government department which is vested with the responsibility of protecting the citizens and fighting crimes in the society. Consequently, their operations is vital for the sustenance of peace and progress of the society. However, recent reports indicate a high rate of corruption and extra –judicial killings in the Nigerian police force. This incidence shows the lack of emotional intelligence skill in the force. But since the police relate with the public it is important that this skill of emotional intelligence be recognized and adopted for the smooth functioning of the force.

Consequently, the introduction of emotional intelligence as part of the training curriculum in the Nigerian police force will facilitate the restoration of the lost image of the force in the eyes of the public. Therefore, the problem confronting the study is to investigate Emotional intelligence as predictors of police officers psychological wellbeing.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main study objective is to investigate Emotional intelligence as predictors of police officers psychological wellbeing; While the specific objectives of the study include;

To determine the relevance of the Nigerian police force.

To investigate the functions of Emotional intelligence as predictors of police officers psychological wellbeing.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

i.   What is the relevance of the Nigerian police force?

ii.    What are the functions of Emotional intelligence as predictors of police officers psychological wellbeing?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study seeks to restore the damage image of the Nigeria police force through appropriate information dissemination on the significance of emotional intelligence.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study focuses on the investigation of Emotional intelligence as predictors of police officers psychological wellbeing.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study was confronted with logistic and geographical constraint.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE DEFINED

Emotional intelligence constitutes the capacity to monitor and evaluate one’s personal and other people emotions with view of obtaining information to guide one’s thinking and actions.

NPF DEFINED

Nigerian police force; The department of government vested with the responsibility of protecting the citizens from crimes.