A Comparative Analysis of Police Accountability in Nigeria and United States
Olusola Karimu; Osunyikanmi, Adebukola Foluke

Abstract
The police all over the world are becoming more accountable in the performance of their primary responsibility of crime prevention and control. The paper is an exploratory study and examines the various mechanisms of police accountability in United States and Nigeria while also highlighting the importance of police accountability in a democratic society. Through a comparative analysis, the paper argues that police accountability mechanisms are more effective at controlling police power and improving police-community relations in United States compared to Nigeria. The paper posits that the decades of military rule and the overall lack of accountability in all facets of public life in Nigeria have all combined together to weaken the mechanisms for police accountability. The paper therefore concludes that it is important that there should be clear, concise or established standards which should guide the conducts and operation of police in Nigeria.

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