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Police officers involved in criminal or disciplinary misconduct will not be interdicted but instead dismissed from the service, police commission said yesterday.

The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairman Eliud Kinuthia yesterday said some officers had taken advantage of the new laws, including the curfew orders, and warned that prompt action will be taken against them.

He said the commission had adopted a carrot-and-stick approach where professional and disciplined officers would be rewarded and commended, besides a number of initiatives aimed at boosting the welfare of the officers.

“We have noted with concern a few cases during enforcement of Covid-19 safety measures where police discipline has been compromised and excessive use of force has been applied,” he said.

“The IG has already identified the isolated cases, taken the initial step to interdict the officers and recommended their dismissal and dishonorable discharge from the service.

We have approved the dismissals and will not hesitate to act on all officers who conduct themselves unprofessionally at any time,” he added.

 “We are a fair employer. We will commend those discharging their duties well. Where there are cases of professional misconduct we take action immediately like in the case of Magarini, Kilifi county,” said the official.

Kinuthia said the commission was pushing for allowances and insurance cover for all the officers, adding that they had initiated negotiation with Cabinet Committee on National Development Implementation and Communication (NDICC) and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to have all officers considered for uniform extraneous allowance for all ranks.

“We are also pushing for additional responsibility allowance for commanders commencing March 2020 up to the appropriate time when the country returns to normal enforcement of law and order,” he said. 

All the nine commissioners including the Inspector General and his two deputies have made a one-off voluntary contribution of Sh650,000 towards the Covid-19 fund.

“This is a response to a call by the President for pay cut and voluntary contribution.

The commission appeals to all police officers and civilian staff to voluntary join the NPSC in making individual donations towards the fund,” he said.

The chairman said officers have been involved in extraneous enforcement work not anticipated in normal police operations, with the new work environment putting police profession to greater test of balancing between protecting civil liberties of citizens, public safety and security, and welfare and safety of individual officers against Covid-19 pandemic.

Budgetary allocation

NPSC has also initiated a proposal to have sufficient budgetary allocation for officers to be supplied with adequate sanitisers and Personal Protective Equipment in all the works stations including temporary road blocks and formed units in operation areas to protect them from the risk of contracting the virus.

The chair said action had been taken against the officer who was captured on camera fighting over a bribe.

“We have already taken action and what is remaining is necessary paperwork before we dismiss him from the service,” he said.

He warned that interdicted officers were using the courts to frustrate the police boss and the commission.

“We will dismiss you and if the courts find you not guilty you can appeal but we will have dismissed you. You cannot hold the commission at ransom. You have a duty to conduct yourself professionally,” he said.

Kinuthia decried that cases involving officers being handled by their colleagues were mishandled. “The officers are in control of the charge process and decide what evidence to take to court.

He appealed to Kenyans to be law abiding especially during this pandemic to avoid unnecessary confrontation with the officers. “Also, do not fabricate untrue allegations against officers.

The commission has noted some incidences where our employees have been unfairly accused for wrongs they have not committed,” he said.