Sociological Analysis of Police Training Practices in Ghana: Theoretical and Conceptual Schools of Thought

Ronald Osei Mensah

doi:10.7176/rhss/9-12-15

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to critically look at the theoretical and conceptual schools of thought of Talcott Parsons AGIL theory in relation to police training practices. It is realized that Parsons AGIL theory has a significant relation and application to police training practices. The researcher in related studies looked critically at the AGIL theory in relation to the curriculum, scope of training and the pedagogical practices employed by police training academies (A), the social outcomes of police training practices (G), how the police apply their training to police work (I) and the challenges facing police training academies (L). It has therefore being established that the resources used in the police training academies like the curriculum, the equipment and pedagogical materials in achieving appropriate goals is termed as Adaptation. In addition how the police can fulfill and achieve their core mandates would basically be referred to as Goal Attainment in the context of this study whereas the various divisions in the police service that come together to achieve their core mandates is referred to as Integration and lastly the risk, stresses and challenges police personnel go through in the course of delivering their duties can simply be referred to as Latency. It is therefore recommended by the researcher that various resources (A), various divisions in the police service should work in harmony (I) to achieve prescribed goals (G) effectively and efficiently and minimizing associated challenges and risks (L) the police face in their work delivery. Keywords : sociological, police, training practices, AGIL DOI : 10.7176/RHSS/9-12-15 Publication date :June 30th 2019

Highlights

The training of employees at all levels within organization is considered a vital component in maintaining competitiveness in the international arena
I mean that the various divisions and departments within the Ghana Police Service like the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD), Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) among others need to be regulated so that a harmonious society can emerge from their interaction for their core mandates and goals to be achieved appropriately (Mensah, 2017)
First and foremost the literature emphasized on Adaptation on how police trainees and officers can become adaptive to their environment by using resources at their disposal effectively and efficiently to attain organizational goals

Summary

Introduction

The training of employees at all levels within organization is considered a vital component in maintaining competitiveness in the international arena. Goals must be set and those goals must be prioritized and achieved through effective police training In applying this to the study or police training, Act 350 of the Ghana Police Service instructions defines clearly some core mandates or functions of the service which are; the protection of life and property, prevention and detection of crime, apprehension and prosecution of offenders, preservation of peace and good order and enforcement of all laws, Acts, decrees with which it is directly charged. Pattern maintenance pertains to how to ensure that actors in the social system display the appropriate characteristics in terms of motives, needs and role-playing whereas tension management concerns dealing with the internal tensions and strains of actors in the social system In applying this to the study, it basically looks at the challenges, stresses and risks police officers face in the course of delivering their duties. The challenges, stresses and risks police officers face will be minimized within the system of latent pattern maintenance

Relevance of the Theory to the Study

Conclusion and Way Forward