The Impact of Public Relations Principles in the Strategic Management of the Police Force in Kenya
Publication Date
2014Author
Debora Mary Muchilwa1 , Odoyo Collins Otieno2,* , Moses Oginda2 , David Oima
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract/ Overview
Public Relations is a department which has not
been effectively utilized in the public sector, particularly in
the police force in Kenya. One can hardly find it clearly
defined and stipulated in the statutes and organizational
structures of the various public institutions. Its presumed
non-existence has resulted to lack of aggressiveness and low
morale among staff members, negative publicity and bribery
incidences in the forces, increased insecurity, negligence and
public demonstrations as witnessed in Kenya during the
2007 post election violence. This study sought to determine
the effect of public relations principles in the management of
the police force in Kenya. This study used cross sectional
data. The study target populations were four (4) police
stations in Kisumu police division comprising of
approximately 330 staff members of the force in the four
stations under KPD (this figures are as at October 2008).
Given the numbers involved and sensitivity of information in
the police force, convenience and simple random sampling
were used for the study. A reconnaissance study done in
October 2008 confirms the availability of respondents to
provide data required. Descriptive statistics was used to
analyze the data, which was presented in the form of
frequency tables and bar charts. The data for the study
reported that only top-level management was involved in
planning activities. Majority (59.03%, n=98) of the
respondents seemed to be of the opinion that the
effectiveness and efficiency of the planning process
including policy formulation and analysis was on the average.
The media was most involved in informing management on
PR as stated by 59.03% of the respondents. The study
recommends that facts gathering instrument like conducting
of interviews, literature review, observation and informal
conversations be used so as to be able to collect appropriate
data. This is because Radio/TV alone cannot offer holistic
information on the PR situation. It would thus be important
to conduct full surveys and to produce reports so as to
accurately present the PR situation.