Abstract

This study examined the emotions inherent among officers in the Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command. The study also sought to ascertain the effects of emotions management on the job performance of the police officers. Both qualitative and quantitative survey method were adopted for the study, with the questionnaire, in-depth interview, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides as the instruments for data collection. The population of the study comprised 7,552 police officers in the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Force. Philip Meyer’s technique for sample selection was adopted to select 375 respondents for the study. Findings of the study revealed that the emotions inherent and expressed among the police officers were frustration and/or disappointment (26%); joy and/or happiness (26%); anger and/or aggression (21%); envy and/or jealousy (14%); and sadness and/or depression (13%). Additional findings revealed that insult and/or disrespect by civilians in the society (33%); oppression by superior officers (23%); payment of outstanding financial claims (14%); settlement of outstanding welfare packages (12%); when junior officers were promoted over them (10%); when they were rewarded for outstanding performance (8%) were some of the causes of the emotions expressed by police officers in the course of performing their duties. The researchers concluded that negative emotions inherent and expressed among officers in the Nigeria Police Force out-numbered the positive ones. This could be responsible for the low level of morale exhibited among the officers in the Force, especially among the rank and file. It could also be responsible for the low level of job performance witnessed among police officers, not only in the Akwa Ibom State Police command, but across the length and breadth of Nigeria. The researchers recommend that for more positive emotions to be expressed among the officers, management of the Force should ensure that salaries and other financial emoluments are paid as at when due. It is the belief of the researchers of this study that such gestures would boost their morale, and engender expression of positive emotions such as happiness, joy and optimism, which would help them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.