Factors Affecting Police Officers Effectiveness in Disaster Scene Management in Nairobi Central Business District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of police officers in disaster scene management in Nairobi central business district. The study was conducted in Nairobi CBD because of the frequent fatal disasters that have occurred in the recent history. The specific objectives were; to assess the extent to which police officers are adequately equipped to manage disaster scene in Nairobi CBD, to assess the effect of human resource capacity on disaster scene management by police officers in Nairobi CBD and show how terms and conditions of service of police officers affect disaster scene management in Nairobi CBD. This research used survey design. The target population for this study was 567 police officers within Central police Division as it covers CBD County. Sampling was done at 30% which translated to a total of 171 police officers though 150 questionnaires were filled and returned, this translated to 87.7% which according to Mugenda and Mugenda 1999 was rated as excellent for analysis and therefore used. Quantitative data was collected using an questionnaire, “The questionnaire had open-ended questions to also enable the researcher to collect qualitative data. The interview guide was administered to the OCPD and the In Charge Training Personnel through face interviews to allow for further probing. Descriptive analysis such as frequencies and percentages were used to present quantitative data in form of tables. Content analysis was employed for the qualitative data and then presented in prose. The study also conducted a regression analysis to establish the relationship between the variables. From the study findings, it was established that most of the police officers in the CBD were moderately equipped to manage disaster scene in Nairobi CBD. The study established that human resource capacity affects police effectiveness in disaster scene management within Nairobi CBD to a great extent. With regard to terms and conditions, the study concludes that terms and conditions of service in the police force affect police effectiveness in disaster scene management within Nairobi CBD to a great extent. The study concludes that the forms of community support affect police effectiveness in disaster scene management within Nairobi CBD to a great extent. The study therefore recommends that the County government in charge of the CBD make haste and purchase all the necessary equipment that the officers need and increase the number of officers within the CBD. Security of the CBD should be a priority even for the national government as it is the mirror of the entire country.