Using the Lie Detector Test to Curb Corruption in the Nigeria Police Force

Abstract

Purpose – This paper critically examines the lie detector test policy of the Nigeria Police Force, to determine if the policy is capable of curbing corruption in the Nigerian Police Force. Design/Methodology/Approach – The analysis took the form of a desk study, which analyzed various documents and reports such as the report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the National Bureau of Statistics entitled “Corruption in Nigeria – Bribery: Public Experience and Response”, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 and the report by the International Police Science Association, IPSA, and the Institute for Economics and Peace. Findings – This paper determined that the lie detector test policy of the Nigeria Police Force could achieve its desired objectives if the following recommendations are implemented: I. The Nigeria Police Reform Trust Fund bill should be given accelerated consideration in the Senate and House of Representatives based on its urgency and significance for the new lie detector test policy of the Nigeria Police Force. There is need for the Nigerian Police to have enough funds to conduct training's for Police personnel who are chosen as examiners for the lie detector tests. II. The Nigeria Police Force is advised to make use of two examiners for the lie detector test; one in-house examiner and one external examiner. The external examiner may be from another country where corruption is not at a high rate, and must be someone of high integrity and professional competence. This measure may reduce the risk of bribery and corruption in the system. It will also bring more integrity and transparency into the system. The external examiner may also carry out “on the job training” with the in-house examiner while the polygraph exercise is going on. III. The Nigeria Police Force must make a new policy that mandates that all transactions relating to the purchase of polygraph machines must be conducted in an open and fair manner that recognizes the need for the transaction to be done directly with the seller, and not through a sales agent. This policy may help prevent a situation where a corrupt sales agent connives with a corrupt police officer to defraud the police unit. IV. An on-going approach to screening should be considered for specific positions, as circumstances change, or for a comprehensive review of departmental staff over a period of time. The Nigeria Police Force should have a policy that mandates that the lie detector test should be taken once in 5 years by all staff of the Nigeria Police Force. For Staff in very sensitive positions, the lie detector test should be taken every three years. This will enable the lie detector policy to be more effective. Research Limitations – This paper focuses on the new lie detector test policy of the Nigeria Police Force. It does not address the other anti-corruption policies of the Nigeria Police Force. Originality/Value – This Article offers a critical analysis of the lie detector test policy of the Nigeria Police Force. The paper will provide recommendations on how the policy could be strengthened. This is the only article to adopt this kind of approach.