POLICING THE MILITARY A Sociological Assessment of the Functional Performance of the Nigerian Army Military Police

POLICING THE MILITARY A Sociological Assessment of the Functional Performance of the Nigerian Army Military Police

Abstract:

Policing civil society has been given prominent attention in contemporary times. However, policing the military has received scant or no attention at all. This study therefore assesses the functional performance of the Nigerian Army Military Police. It also examines the major impediments to its performance as well as the nature of the relationship existing between its personnel and other soldiers. This is done with a view to increasing our understanding of the nature of policing in a military setting. In the attempt to understand the phenomenon, I examined the relevant literature and theoretical paradigms concerning policing in general. Among the commonly accepted theoretical explanations of policing are: Structural functionalism; social interaction-ism and Marxism, from a critical appraisal of the three theoretical paradigms. I have drawn the conclusion that policing the military could best be understood from a Marxian perspective. However, the other two models were used to complement the study of the phenomenon. The major instruments used in data collection were questionnaires/interviews and observational methods. Out of the total sample size of 350 respondents earlier earmarked, only 267 were actually interviewed. This represents a total response rate of 76.3%. The dominant tools of analysis were inferential statistics and descriptive analysis. The major findings in the study revealed that the NAMP excels in areas like traffic control, escort and orderly duties, and to a lesser extent, law enforcement. Its performance in crime prevention; protection of soldiers interests ans welfare; and the protection of lives and properties is dismally poor. It has also been observed that the successes and failures of the NAMP are directly linked with class interest. Thus the NAMP is more at home protecting the interest of the privileged class in the military against that of the under privileged. Similarly, the major factors identified as militating against the effective performance of the NAMP are; shortage of equipment/logistics; manpower and non – cooperation from other soldiers. The first hypothesis of the study which states that “officers are more favorable in the assessment of the overall functional performance of the “NAMP” is statistically insignificant and therefore rejected. However, substantive evidence shows that officers are more favorable in their assessment of the NAMP than other ranks. The second hypothesis which states that” the higher the rank of a military police personnel, the more enhanced his overall performance” is accepted because those superior in rank find it relatively easier performing their job than their subordinate ones. The third and last hypothesis which infers that” the relationship between other ranks and Military Policemen is less cordial” is also upheld. This is in view of the fact that officers are more friendly with Military Policemen than other ranks. Finally, the study makes recommendations based on the findings derived from the data obtained for the research.

POLICING THE MILITARY A Sociological Assessment of the Functional Performance of the Nigerian Army Military Police

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