Emotional Intelligence and Employee Productivity in the National Police Service, Case of Nairobi County Kenya

Abstract

Law enforcement is a highly complex profession that is faced with a high demand for leadership and professionalism since they engage with diverse population in their daily running of activities. Police officers’ productivity can be affected by many factors owing to the nature of the job. Having to work in a stressful environment affects the way they make decisions and execute their tasks. When employees are aware of their surroundings and the impact of maintaining their relations, they will manage the situations more decently than having random outbursts while at work. The study assessed the connection betwixt emotional intelligence (EI) and employee productivity (EP) in the National Police Service in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to examine the effect of self-awareness as an aspect of emotional intelligence influenced employee productivity in the National Police Service in Nairobi County, Kenya. A quantitative research design was adopted, and a sample size of 351 officers used. Further a descriptive research design was also adopted and the target population was 2883 police officers currently working in Nairobi County. Using proportionate random sampling, the sample size consequently comprised of 36 Gazetted police officers, 68 members of inspectorate, 95 Non-commissioned officers and 152 junior officers to make a total sample of 351 officers. Self-structured questionnaires were utilized to gather data and, modified to include both Emotional Intelligence and Employee Productivity elements and interview guides.  The results of the study show that, “self-awareness had a remarkable effect on employee productivity among National Police Service officers in Nairobi County, Kenya. Self-awareness had positive impact on employee productivity, with the promotion of self-awareness among officer’s leads to an increase in productivity.  In light of the findings of the study, It was hence recommended that emotional intelligence training programs should be developed to enhance the emotional intelligence of National Police Service officers. Further, the study recommends that more research be conducted on the effect of emotional intelligence training programs on employee productivity in the NPS.

Key Words: Emotional Intelligence, Employee Productivity, Police Officers

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/135-14

Publication date:August 31^st 2023