IG Kimaiyo posted 30 minutes ago: Reforms in the National Police - TopicsExpress



          

IG Kimaiyo posted 30 minutes ago: Reforms in the National Police Service on course . By David M. Kimaiyo My attention has been drawn to an article in a section of the media (by Juma Kwayera in the Saturday Standard issue of Saturday, November 23, 2013) alluding to a slow process in implementing reforms in the National Police Service. I would like to correct some of the factual errors and misconceptions arising from the article about the on-going reform processes in the National Police Service for purposes of setting the record straight. I would wish Kenyans to appreciate the fact that not only are police reforms on course, but they are also happening in coordinated manner. The NPS is a member of the Government’s Police Reform Programme’s Steering Committee where the Service discusses and coordinates the efforts of a number of stakeholders who cannot allow for the reform process to be derailed. From the onset I would further seek to point out that the National Police Service is an institution in the public service and a critical appraisal of the performance of her officers on a day to day basis is most welcome. As most of the appraisal(s) on the performance of the National Police Service is wont to come through various media channels, it is imperative that the media also endeavour to give a factual and balanced view of the status of whatever security issue(s) being focused on. Allow me to point out that Kwayera’s article failed to factually and objectively give full details of the on-going reforms in the National Police Service and further failed to appreciate the co-existing cordial relationship between the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC). It is not clear to Kwayera, for instance, that the Inspector General, the Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Service and the Deputy Inspector General Administration Police Service are also commissioners of the National Police Service Commission. I would venture to add that the two institutions, the National Police Service and the National Police Service Commission are working with a clear understanding of their respective mandates, besides providing leadership in implementing reforms envisaged by the constitution. Through concerted efforts between the NPSC and the NPS, an internationally acceptable vetting tool for the vetting of officers of the service has been developed. It is this tool that will form the basis of the vetting exercise of 32 senior police officers of the rank of Senior Deputy Commissioners of Police (I and II) and Deputy Commissioners of Police which has been scheduled for the month of December, 2013. The vetting of the other cadres of the Police Service will proceed from January 2014. There is the general perception that the implementation process of the vetting exercise has somewhat been delayed. I wish to point out that the process of developing the vetting tools has indeed been involving and justifiably so. This is because of the need to develop the right and acceptable tools that conform to internationally acceptable standards of good practice and also conform to established legal provisions. Seemingly unknown to Mr. Kwayera is the on-going reforms in enriching the training curriculum for police officers. This has seen a new training curriculum developed for basic and cadet courses. The new curriculum has extended the training period from 9 to 15 months of basic training and an additional 6 months cadet training for University graduate recruits. A total of 14,000 recruits have been trained on the new curriculum so far. This training curriculum is currently under review to incorporate specialized training for GSU, Forensic and Community policing. A key ingredient in the curriculum is the introduction of diploma and postgraduate diploma courses in policing and our police training institutions, Kenya Police College Kiganjo, GSU Training School, Administrative Police Training College and Directorate of Criminal Investigation Training school have been accredited to offer the courses. Presently, advanced arrangements are in place to launch a senior leadership and command programme for senior police officers. A training needs assessment has been carried out and is due for validation after which the development of curriculum and an implementation programme, in collaboration with institutions of higher learning, will follow. I would like to point out a number of other reform programmes that have either been initiated in the NPS. These include the establishment of an Internal Affairs Unit to conduct investigations into police misconduct in a fair and effective manner as provided for by the National Police Service Act 2011; review of the Service Standing Orders to align them to the new legal framework; development of the Service’s 2013-2017 Strategic Plan and the development of a community policing policy and curriculum. Kwayera’s article alluded to apathy in the Police Service arising from my failure to address issues of staff welfare. It is in the public domain that on-going police reforms are underpinned by initiatives that seek to address the welfare of police officers. One of the initiatives is to improve remuneration and benefits for police officers commensurate with the demands placed on them in provision of security in the country. The NPS has pursued the payment of recommended increase in police allowances with respective mandated Commissions and the Service officers have already been paid the resultant allowances. I wish want to add that the issue of increase in salary for members of the Police Service has also been pursued with the Salary and Remuneration Commission and it was recommended that it awaits the finalisation of the general salary survey in the wider public Service. On the medical insurance cover, the good news is that the government has approved replacing the currently paid risk allowance with a comprehensive Medical and Life Insurance Cover for disciplined officers of the of the NPS with effect from July 1, 2014. The delay in implementation of this approval is due to finalisation of modalities by the government for the procurement of a service provider. The final issue of Police welfare I would want to touch on is the state of housing in the Service which is a thorny issue that continues to affect the welfare of most officers. Through on-going reforms, the Service has however made significant strides with 99.5 per cent of initially stalled housing units and office accommodation country-wide completed while the remaining 5 per cent are nearing completion. With the Service currently experiencing a deficit of 57,000 units coupled with the fact an average of 7,000 recruits join the Service annually; the housing still remains a challenge. To fast-track the processes of construction of targeted housing units for the NPS and alleviate the aggravated situation, the government through the National Housing Corporation has initiated a new cost effective programme, which is currently being piloted for roll-out to the rest of police stations in the 47 counties. This will see the construction of 2,000 housing units county-wide and an on-going pilot project for the construction of 44 housing units at Ruai Police Station is on course. In his article, Kwayera accuses “Kimaiyo of being preoccupied with over-concentration of “real power” in his office and usurping the mandate of his deputies”. I am not sure what Kwayera means by “real power” but on the balance of probability, his assumption is purely based on conjecture and by a failure to appreciate the constitutional provision for the holder of the office of the Inspector General to exercise his/ her authority. The constitution empowers the Inspector General to exercise authority to facilitate work but not for personal gain. On the relationship between the office of the Inspector General and that of the two deputies, I wish to refer Kwayera back to the constitution, which together with the National Police Service Act 2011 clearly defines the role and functions of each of these offices. The legal provisions in the two documents do not provide room for any interference whatsoever in executing their respective mandates. From where I sit, I wish to say that we are moving towards a more open Community Service policing in the country. This requires the understanding and support of the general public and the media is the vehicle of choice in reaching to the public. Further, the constitution provides for public participation and access to information which tenets we also uphold. To this end we are working towards developing and implementing a comprehensive communication strategy that will enable us to reach out to Kenyans and other stakeholders. This will also help foster useful partnerships in the maintenance of law and order. I would finally wish to point out that the NPS recognizes the media as a key partner in this critical period that measures geared at making the Service more accountable to the public are being instituted. David Kimaiyo is the inspector General of the National Police Service.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:52:07 +0000

Trending Topics



Recently Viewed Topics




© 2015