Nigerian Police Force and the Problems of Interpersonal Relations: A Study of Its Impact on Performance in Bayelsa State Command

The main objective of the study is to identify the challenges of the Police Force and assess how improved interpersonal relations can enhance the performance of officers and men. The system theory was used as a theoretical tool for analysis. The data was collected through primary and secondary sources. A sample of 553 was used as a population of 4,614 officers from Eight Local government in Bayelsa state, using Cochran sample size determination formula. Purposive sampling and proportional stratified sampling method was employed and the data was analyzed, using simple percentage frequency distribution, Chi-square analysis and SPSS software (Version 15) was employed for the analysis. The major findings among others is that, the old top-bottom command chain presents a lot of problems in the smooth functioning and overall performance of the police force. The study therefore, recommends interpersonal relations in the force to be improved through periodic training and retraining of officers and men to garnish their performance in contemporary policing.