USE OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS) IN CRIME DETECTION BY THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE (NPF) IN POTISKUM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

The Geographical Information System (GIS) is a computer-based system for capturing, managing, mapping, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data, which is spatially referenced to the earth. It is an important tool for crime management, especially in crime detection by the Police. Thus, this study assessed its application by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in Potiskum L.G.A with the specific objective: to examine the impact of the GIS application in crime management in the study area. Routine Activities and Defensible Space theories were reviewed and adopted as the theoretical framework for the study. The study utilized Availability Random Sampling and Purposive Sampling techniques to collect primary data. Meanwhile, the study adopted the Krejcie and Morgan formula for determining sample size for infinite population. Therefore, questionnaires were administered to 155 respondents to collect quantitative data and Key Informant Interviews (KII) conducted with 10 participants from the two Police Divisions, A&B in Potiskum L.G.A to collect qualitative data and complement the quantitative type. Findings of the study revealed that the application of GIS is accepted and has a higher satisfaction rate than the traditional methods of crime detection in the study area. Moreover, based on these findings, the following policy options were recommended: legislation and policy should be passed by the government mandating the use of GIS in security organisations for crime management in the state and even neighboring states and Nigeria in general. Also, there is the need of more GIS experts in the Police organization and other sister agencies. In addition, there is the need for more GIS tools/technological gadget in the security organizations (especially the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for effective crime management, and also to be trained on GIS professionalism frequently in order to increase their security capacity and effectiveness and provide them with new technological know-how for crime management. There is also the need for sufficient funding, which will enhance the GIS experts’ productivity as expected.