Police occupational hazards and insecurity of police officers in Nigeria

This paper examined police occupational hazards and insecurity in Nigeria. The paper highlighted the dangerous nature of police work as it specifically relates to mortality level in the line of duty, risky job descriptions, and experiences about hazards associated with the work. Human factor theory was used to explain the paper as it relates to work environment, hazards, or injuries. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design. Purposive and accidental sampling processes were used to select 528 police personnel across ranks. Instruments used were questionnaire which was self-administered within a period of 8 weeks. Leading questions veer toward police officers' mortality in the line of duty, levels of insecurity faced by policemen on their job, hazardous aspects of police duties, and nature of police checkpoints in Nigeria. Findings from the study showed that killing of policemen in the line of duty is high-over 75% of the officers knew at least three of their colleagues who had been killed in line of duty. Checkpoints guarding of banks and orderly functions were found to have the highest risk exposure to hazards and death. The paper suggests the procurement of adequate sophisticated weapons, safety equipment, life insurance, and adequate welfare packages as remedies.