PERCEIVED TERRORISM, INVESTIGATIVE COMPETENCE AND FINANCIAL STRESS AS PREDICTORS OF AGGRESSIVENESS AMONG POLICE OFFICERS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA.

The study examined perceived terrorism, investigative competence and financial stressasaggressiveness among police officers in Anambra State. A total of 364 participants (92females and 272 males) cluster,purposive and incidentalattained. Measuring instrumentswere Terrorism Cognition Inventory, Investigative Competence Scale for Police, FinancialStress Scale, and Aggressive Behaviour Questionnaire. The design was predictive andcorrelational designs, multiple regression SPSS Version 25.,informed consent..Perceidfactors (increasing terrorism activities (R2 = 0.047, β = 0.090; p > 0.05) perceived factorsreducing terrorism involvement (R2 = 0.047, β = 0.198; p > 0.05) significantly predict"police aggressive behaviour". "Behavioural (R2 = 0.463, β = -0.128; p < 0.05), andtechnical (R2 = 0.463, β = 1.023; p < 0.05)significantly predicted "police aggressivebehaviour". "Interpersonal Reaction to Financial Stress (R2 = 0.794, β = -0.850; p < 0.05)and physiological to financial stress (R2 = 0.794, β = -0.443; p < 0.05)were negativesignificant predictors of "police aggressive behaviour". The investigative competence andfinancial stress had a negative significant beta weight on police aggressive behaviour(R2 =0.794, β = -0.142; p < 0.05).Recommendations were made for police. There is also the needfor effective terrorism management strategies among law enforcement officers. This can beachieved through specialized training programs that enhance situational awareness, crisismanagement skills, and effective communication during security threats. Thompegh trainingand professional development, addressing financial stress through supportive measures, andmanaging perceived terrorism through community engagement and strategic communicationaimed at reducing police aggression.