Social Outcomes of Training Practices in the Ghana Police Service

Abstract

This study was embarked upon to find out the social outcomes of training practices in the Ghana Police. The research was carried out at the National Police Training School, Accra. The researcher gathered detailed information about the challenges facing police training schools and based on that further assessed the views of respondents about the Criminal Justice System. A total of one-hundred and thirty-four (134) respondents took part in the study. Structured questionnaires and interview guide were employed as major data collection instruments. Methodologically, the study employed mixed methods by using both quantitative and qualitative approaches in getting the relevant data to satisfy the purpose and objectives of this study. Sampling methods used were purposive and simple random sampling techniques. In the data analysis, each of the in-depth interviews conducted to elicit qualitative data and was transcribed as soon as the information was gathered. The investigation revealed that the major occupational and structural problems facing police training schools are lack of proper equipment, logistics and training materials, lack of infrastructure, lack of motivation and inadequate number of instructors. The study, however found out that police-citizen collaboration is a major tool in the Criminal Justice System. It was therefore recommended that the Government in collaboration with other stakeholders must help provide the needed infrastructures, logistics and training materials. Also all forms of political strings and interferences attached to police recruitment must be avoided to ensure quality of service delivery and expected social outcomes.

Keywords: Training, Training Practices, Recruits, Trainers, Police Officers, Social Outcomes

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-2-09