Relationship between Emotional Intelligence and Career Performance of the Police in Benue State

Abstract

Designed to find out the relationship between emotional intelligence and the career performance of Benue State Police Command, this study used the survey design to specifically examine the components of emotional intelligence, namely, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management, and the career
performance of the Police in Benue State Police Command. A sample of 1,067 policemen and women was randomly selected from a population of 7,216 Police personnel in the study area. Data was collected using questionnaires, titled ‘Emotional Intelligence Scale and Police Career Performance Scale’ (EIS/PCPS). Five hypotheses
were formulated and tested, using correlation coefficient. The study established that there is a significant relationship between emotional intelligence and the career performance of the Police in the study area. The researchers recommended, among others, that emotional intelligence should be made an integral part of requirements for
Police recruitment and training, counselling structures should be put in place to cater for police emotional needs, and police officers should be trained in relationship management.