An investigation into the impact of budget cuts on the operational performance of the Namibian police: A case study of Oshikoto Regional Headquarters
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The Internal Audit report of the Namibian Police (NAMPOL) for the 2018/19
Financial Year reported a reduction of the Namibian Police Force budget
from N$14.3 billion to N$5.1 billion. Budget cuts differ across sectors of the
economy as well as the magnitude of their impact on organisational
performance. This study aimed at investigating the impact of budget cuts on
the operational performance of Police in the Oshikoto Region. A sample of
150 participants from a population of 950 was selected using the stratified
random sampling technique. The researcher had applied descriptive research
design as it eliminates the constraints of rigorous academic methodologies,
allowing researchers to see how others experience an event. The study
adopted a quantitative approach which involved the use of closed ended
questionnaires. The researcher's function in positivist studies was confined
to data collection and objective interpretation. The strategy was based on
reality's nature. Additionally, the data were analysed quantitatively using the
excel spreadsheet package to generate tables and graphs .. The results of the
study revealed that budget cuts lead to more crimes as Police is incapacitated
in terms of mobility. This incapacitation could also be due to lack of vehicles
and other important resources. Furthermore, top management in the
Namibian Police Force is continuously faced with making difficult decisions
on how to protect and serve their communities with fewer resources at their
disposal. It was observed that, budget cuts had a negative impact on the
operational performance of the police. It is therefore recommended that
Oshikoto NAMPOL management should come up with policies which serve
as a guiding principles to help with the operational performance of the Police
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Public Sector Management)
Keywords
Budget, Budget cuts, Namibian Police Force, Management cadre, Operational performance of police, Training and development, Stakeholders, Namibia, University of Namibia