An analysis of the socio-demographic profiles and performance of investigators of sexual offences in Kampala Metropolitan Police

Abstract

This cross-sectional study seeks to analyze the relationship between the socio-demographic profiles of the investigators of sexual offences and their performance. Data on socio-demographic profiles was collected using a survey, while structured interviews with key informants were conducted to corroborate the data retrieved from the survey and performance reports from the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) for the financial year 2021-2022. Eighty-nine questionnaires were administered, and five key informants were interviewed. The general objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between the socio-demographic profiles of the investigators and their performance. Four specific objectives were derived from the above-mentioned general objective. The first specific objective was to establish the relationship between the rank, age, gender and marital status of the investigator with his or her performance. Results indicate that there is a weak positive relationship that is not statistically significant between an investigator’s performance and his or her rank, age, gender and marital status. The second specific objective was to find out the relationship between the investigator’s level of education and performance. Results from the study revealed a weak positive relationship between the two variables. The third specific objective was to assess the relationship between the investigator’s level of specialized training and his or her performance, and findings revealed that there was a statistically significant, fairly strong positive relationship with specialized training in sexual offences. The fourth objective was to determine the extent to which the years of service of a sexual offence investigator influenced his or her performance. Results reveal that years of service of a sexual offence investigator in either the UPF or CID do not significantly influence his or her performance in investigations. The study recommends that the Uganda Police Force have all investigators trained in the CID induction course; have all sexual investigators who have done the CID induction course undergo additional sexual offences investigation management training; promote investigators who have done both CID induction and sexual investigation management training to the next rank; and refine the internal system of recruiting and deploying investigators by internally advertising vacancies and having successful candidates get recruited based on the most desirable predetermined socio-demographic characteristics. It also recommends that the investigation environment be improved through the provision of better tools and equipment and the provision of the necessary support facilities and services.