Evaluation of training and development practices in the Ghana Police Service: A Case Study of Akropong Division in the Eastern Region

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Date
2011
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Abstract
This study evaluates the training and development practices of the Ghana Police Service. The study was carried out at the Akropong Division in the Eastern Region. The purposive sampling technique was adopted for this study. A sample of eighty percent which is (200 out of 250), comprising twenty-five (25) Units Heads and one hundred and seventy-five (175) junior officers of the targeted Population (250) responded to administered questionnaire. The main HRD practices identified were save life and property, apprehension and prosecution of offenders, preservation of peace and good order, the right of the vulnerable against all forms of abuse and among others. Major training and development methods used were on-the-job-training, workshops, lectures and seminars. The expected benefits by Unit Heads from the Training Sessions are primarily Team Building and Transfer of knowledge and skills. For subordinates ‘Knowledge and Skills’ is the paramount benefit. The main challenges confronting the smooth implementation of the staff training and development programme in the Ghana Police Service identified were lack of systematic and comprehensive training and needs analysis; absence of transfer of learning; lack of funds to implement HRD policies. The study found out that pre-determined programmes mostly coming from headquarters are not too popular in the Akropong Division and for that matter the Eastern Region. The study also revealed that on-the-job-training and workshops are the two major modes of training that provides Unit Heads and their respective subordinates’ adequate period of time and contact for effective interaction during training and development sessions. It came to light that at least every four (4) months one training session is organized for the official of the Ghana Police Service, and such regular frequency of training programmes puts officers in the right frame of mind and combat ready to fight crimes. The officer performance results are most measured by the use of Employees Appraisal and the use of evaluation Technique by the respondents. It was observed that apart from the Unit Heads who initiates Training and Development in the Region, to a very large extent Training and Development have been the preserve of Headquarters. This research revealed that junior officers of the Ghana Police, particularly, those at Akropong Division were motivated to pay attention to training exercise when there are monetary rewards in the form of course allowances and per diems attached. Finally, the Akropong Division in Ghana Police Service faces some challenges such as lack of funds and not transferring what they have learnt into practice but rather causing them to die unnecessary in the line of duty and behaving unprofessionally.
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A Thesis submitted to the Institute of Distance Learning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Commonwealth Executive Masters in Business Administration,
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