The Impact of Public Relations Principles in the Strategic Management of the Police Force in Kenya

Abstract

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.