A DISCOURSE ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AND IMAGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE (NPF) AFTERMATH OF ENDSARS PROTESTS ACROSS NIGERIA

Öz

This paper delved into a purposeful discourse on public relations and image management strategies of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) aftermath of the #EndSARS protest that took place across Nigeria in 2020. Specifically, the paper pursued three basic objectives – which are to identify PR image and reputation management strategies or techniques in modern times, and to find out different efforts by the NPF aimed at its image and reputation management. In addition, the paper also sought to ascertain the new twist #EndSARS protest brought to the reputation management strategies in Nigeria (with special focus on the NPF). Through the use of conceptual analysis with the aid of existing literature in the subject area found out that the NPF adopted the communication strategy that factored in the use of social media as a tool achieved or actualised through deliberate efforts such as establishing PR units across strategic formation of the force. The paper concludes that owing to the position the police found itself aftermath of the EnSARS protest, there was need for adoption of varied strategies to help them repair the damaged reputation – an action that was well taken.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Brutality
• Law enforcement
• Public relations
• NPF
• #EndSARS

A DISCOURSE ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AND IMAGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE (NPF) AFTERMATH OF ENDSARS PROTESTS ACROSS NIGERIA

Öz

This paper delved into a purposeful discourse on public relations and image management strategies of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) aftermath of the #EndSARS protest that took place across Nigeria in 2020. Specifically, the paper pursued three basic objectives – which are to identify PR image and reputation management strategies or techniques in modern times, and to find out different efforts by the NPF aimed at its image and reputation management. In addition, the paper also sought to ascertain the new twist #EndSARS protest brought to the reputation management strategies in Nigeria (with special focus on the NPF). Through the use of conceptual analysis with the aid of existing literature in the subject area found out that the NPF adopted the communication strategy that factored in the use of social media as a tool achieved or actualised through deliberate efforts such as establishing PR units across strategic formation of the force. The paper concludes that owing to the position the police found itself aftermath of the EnSARS protest, there was need for adoption of varied strategies to help them repair the damaged reputation – an action that was well taken.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• EndSARS
• Brutaliity
• Law enforcement
• Public relations
• NPF

Kaynakça

1. ACLED. (2021, Feb. 9). Lessons from the #EndSARS movement in Nigeria. Retrieved April 2, 2022 from https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/acleddata.
2. Adeniji, A.A., Osibanjo, A.O., Abiodun, A.J., & Oni-Ojo, E.E. (2015). Corporate image: A strategy for enhancing customer loyalty and profitability. Journal of South African Business Research, 2015(2015), 259483, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.5171/2015.259483.
3. Africa Center for Strategic Studies. (2020). #EndSARS demands Nigerian police reforms. Retrieved from https://africacenter.org/spotlight/endsars-demands-nigerian-police-reform/
4. Agbonifoh, A. & Oshagbemi, T.A. (2007). The management of corporate image. Ibadan: Macmillan Publishing Co.
5. Ajayi, J.O., & Longe, O. (2015). Public perception of the police and crime-prevention in Nigeria. British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science. 6(2), 145-153. https://ijcst.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/ijcst/article/view/39712
6. Ajisafe, I.O., & Odunayo, I.P. (2020). Communication and effective policing in Nigeria. International Journal of Media, Journalism and Mass Communications. (6)2, 14-20. https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijmjmc/v6-i2/2.pdf
7. Amnesty International. (2021, Aug. 5.). Nigeria: At least 115 people killed security forces in four months in country’s southeast. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/08/nigeria-at-least-115-people-killed-by-security-forces-in-four-months-in-countrys-southeast/
8. Anatusi, T.C., & Nnabuko, J.O. (2013) Corruption and tourism: Restructuring Nigeria’s image for development using public relations strategies. Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review, 2(5), 76-98. http://arabianjbmr.com/pdfs/KD_VOL_2_5/9.pdf

9. Asemah, E.S. (2009). Public Relations and Organisational Management: An Assessment of Jos International Breweries PLC. An M.Sc Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi
10. Asemah, E.S. (2011). Perspectives in advertising and public relations. Jos: Lizborn Press
11. Bhasin, H. (2021, Oct. 18). Corporate communication – definition, types and benefits. Marketing91. Retrieved from https://www.marketing91.com/corporate-communication/
12. Campbell, K. (2020, Feb. 6). What is reputation management – definition – statistics – control. Reputation X. Retrieved from https://blog.reputationx.com/whats-reputation-management%3fhs_amp=tru
13. Chen, J. (2020, Nov. 13). Lobby. Investopedia. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lobby.asp
14. Duhe, T. (2019, Mar.4). The challenges of maintaining a good reputation. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/challenges-maintaining-good-reputation-timothy-duhe
15. Edet, A. (2017). Crime control and policing the nation states: The Nigerian police in focus. International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Reviews, 7(2), 97-102.
16. Eleonu, C.C., & Winston, M. (2020). The police image in Nigeria: Matters arising and Challenges. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 15(2), 294-300
17. Furner, J. (2004). Conceptual analysis: A method for understanding information as evidence, and evidence as information. Archival Science, 4, 233-265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-005-2594-8
18. Grossi, D. (2020, Jan. 8). Public relations in law enforcement: Is the PIO obsolete? Police 1. Retrieved from https://www.police1.com/media-relations/articles/public-relations-in-law-enforcement-is-the-pio-obsolete-C3ExN4qFndlv46jo/
19. Hayes, A. (2021, Oct. 25). Public relations (PR). Investopedia. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/public-relations-pr.asp
20. Human Rights Watch. (2010). Corruption and human rights abuses by the Nigeria Police Force: Everyone is in on the game. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2010/08/17/everyones-game/corruption-and-human-rights-abuses-nigeria-police-force
21. Human Rights Watch. (2021, Oct. 19). Nigeria: A year on, no justice for #EndSARS crackdown. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/10/19/nigeria-year-no-justice-endsars-crackdown
22. Ibrahim, A.T. (2019). Analysis of corruption in the Nigerian Police Force. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 24(9-3), 1-5. Retrieved from http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol.%2024%20Issue9/Series-3/A2409030105.pdf
23. Ikuteyijo, L. (2021, Oct. 18). Nigeria’s police: Few promises of reform have been kept a year after #EndSARS protests. The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/nigerias-police-few-promises-of-reform-have-been-kept-a-year-after-endsars-protests-170028
24. Imadonmwiyi, I.E., & Ekienabor, E. (2019). Effective management of corporate image in achieving customer loyalty. Paper Presented at the 2nd International Conference on Management, Economic and Finance, 15th – 17th November, 2019, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
25. Jones, M. (2021, Oct. 7). Nigeria’s #EndSars protests: What happened next. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58817690
26. Kiely, T.J. (2021, May 26). Reputation PR: Definition, strategies & examples. Meltwater. Retrieved from https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/reputation-pr
27. Lawal, R.A, & Ibrahim, K. (2021). Beyond #ENDSARS: Effecting positive change in governance in Nigeria. https://bbforpeace.org/publication/BEYONDENDSARS.pdf
28. Massey, J.E. (2015). A theory of organisational image management: antecedents, processes & outcomes. International Journal of Management and Applied Science, 2(1), 1-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267302399
29. Minshaw, K. (2019, Jul. 2). PR as a management function. LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pr-management-function-kevin-minshaw
30. Miyamoto, C, (n.d.). How to write a comprehensive public relations plan: Part 1. Retrieved from April 4, 2020 from https://studylib.net/doc/18300506/how-to-write-a-comprehensive-public-relations-plan--part-...
31. Motschall, M., & Cao, L. (2002). An analysis of the public relations role of the police public information officer. Police Quarterly, 5, 152-180. https://doi.org/10.1177/109861102129198084
32. Mullock, K. (2018). The police use of social media: Transformation or normalisation? Social Policy & Society, 17(2), 245-248. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746417000112
33. Nastasi, B.N. (2018, July 12). How to use PR to repair your brand’s reputation following a crisis. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/07/12/how-to-use-pr-to-repair-your-brands-reputation-following-a-crisis
34. Nkwocha, J.W. (1999). Public relations practice in government owned institutions. Enugu: Chikason Communications.
35. Nnamani, I.E. (2016). Fundamentals of public relations. Enugu: Rhyce Kerex
36. Obarisiagbon, E.I., & Omagie, M. (2018). Public perception of the role of the Nigeria Police Force in curbing the menace of kidnapping in Benin metropolis, Southern Nigeria: A criminological study. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 7(1), 65-72. https://doi.org/10.2478/ajis-2018-0006
37. Obeta, E. (2021, Apr. 13). Nigeria police force: A brand in need of rebranding II. This Day. Retrieved from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/04/13/nigeria-police-force-a-brand-in-need-of-rebranding-ii/amp
38. Odinkalu, C.A. (2004). When did police become your friend? Changing roles of civil society in promoting security and safety in Nigeria. In: E.E.O. Alemika & I.C. Chukwuma (eds.), Crime and policing in Nigeria: Challenges and option. Ikeja: Cleen Foundation
39. Ogunwale, A. (2004). Victims propensity to report crime to the police: A case of Masaka in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state. Journal of State and Society, 2(1), 73-78.
40. Okechukwu, J. (2020). Why Nigeria’s #EndSARS movement is more than a call to end police brutality. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/12/nigeria-endsars-police-brutality-protest/
41. Olariu, I. (2017). The use of public relations in projecting an organization's positive image. Studies and Scientific Researches. Economics Edition, 25(2), 99-104. https://doi.org/10.29358/sceco.v0i25.390
42. Oluwasola, O. (2016). An assessment of public relations as a tool for repositioning the image of the Nigerian Police Force, a study of Lagos Command. Research Journal of Mass Communication and Information Technology. 2(2), 19-34. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310450328
43. Omale, J.A. (2007). Public relations and the corporate image (A study of United Bank for Africa and Intercontinental Bank Plc) [Master Thesis]. University of Nigeria.
44. Onyiengo, S.I. (2014). The public relations as a management function and the challenges to effective internal public relations at the Kerio Valley Development Authority in Kenya. European Journal of Business and Management, 6(24), 1-8. https://iiste.org/Journals/index.php/EJBM/article/view/14868
45. Oparaugo, B. (2021). Role of public relations in corporate image building and sustenance. International Journal of Applied Research in Business and Management, 2(1), 26-37. https://doi.org/10.51137/ijarbm.2021.2.1.3
46. Pahwa, A. (2022). What is public relations? PR functions, types, & examples. Feedough. Retrieved from https://www.feedough.com/what-is-public-relations-pr-functions-types-examples/
47. Parent, M.M., & Foreman, P.O. (2007). Organisational image and identity management in large scale sporting events. Journal of Sport Management, 21, 15-40.
48. Pearson Education. (2012). What is public relations? Pearson Education. Retrieved from http://catalogue.pearsoned.ca/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205170005.pdf
49. Pietracatella, R., & Brady, D. (2020). A new development in front group strategy: The social aspects public relations organisation (SAPRO). Frontiers in Communication, 5(24), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2020.00024
50. Point Park University. (2021). Troopers and tech: The relationship between policing and technology. Retrieved from https://online.pointpark.edu/criminal-justice/policing-law-enforcement-and-technology/
51. Public Relations Society of America. (2012). Public relations defined: A modern definition for the new era of public relations. Retrieved from http://prdefinition.prsa.org/index.php/2012/04/11/the-modern-definition-of-public-relations/
52. Pynnönen, T. (2018). We cannot shy away from a defeat” – Examining how sports organisations and fans communicate on social media after a defeat in the Swedish Hockey League. (Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis) Uppsala Universitet.
53. Rabiu, M.S. (2013). The world of new: career prospects in journalism and mass communication. Ibadan: Stirling-Horden Publishers Ltd
54. Reuters. (2021, Aug. 5). Amnesty says Nigeria security forces killed at least 115 in southeast this year. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/amnesty-says-nigeria-security-forces-killed-least-115-southeast-this-year-2021-08-05/
55. Rodman, G. (2006). Mass media in a changing world: History, industry, controversy. Boston: McGraw-Hill
56. Schaer, B. (2021, July 4). What is impression management? Reputation X. Retrieved from https://blog.reputationx.com/whats-impression-management/
57. Singh, N., & Pandey, A. (2017). Role of public relations in image management of an organisation. International Journal of Advance Research, Ideas and Innovations in Technology, 3(4), 164-168.
58. Sinha, G.A. (2020). Lies, gaslighting and propaganda. Buffalo Law Review, 68(4), 1037-1116. https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/buffalolawreview/vol68/iss4/3/
59. Smit, L. (2012). Events management: Putting theory into practice – A South African approach (3rd ed.). Johannesburg: Masterskill
60. Smith, B.L (2021, Jan. 24). Propaganda. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/propaganda
61. Smith, R.D. (2020). Strategic planning for public relations (6th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003024071
62. Tandoh, I. (2020). Public relations and corporate image. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340579895
63. Turner, R.H., Smelser, N.J., & Killian, L.M. (2020, Nov. 19). Social movement. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-movement
64. Udeze, S., Okoro, N., & Agbo, B. (2010). Public relations practice: A functional approach. John Jacob’s Publishers.
65. Whatman, P. (2021). Your 5-step reputation management action plan. Retrieved from https://mention.com/en/blog/reputation-management-plan/
66. Wouters, R., & Walgrave, S. (2017). Demonstrating power: How protest persuades political representatives. American Sociological Review, 82(2) 361-383. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122417690325
67. Woyengikuro, G.I. & Obinichi, W. (2019). A perspective of public relations in the quest to eliminate corruption by the Nigeria Police. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research, 7(3), 9-23
68. Zeeman, A. (2020). Public information model. Toolshero. Retrieved May 11, 2022 from https://www.toolshero.com/management/public-information-model/
69. Zems, M. (2016). Police-public relations as a potent tool for combating crime, insecurity, and social disorder in Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Management Invention, 5(11), 12-22.
70. Zura, K. (2016). The role of public relations in building a sustainable corporate image: A case study of MTN Ugadan. Retrieved from https://ir.kiu.ac.ug/bitstream/20.500.12306/5029/1/Khaukha%20Zur.pdf