The state is now mulling raising the minimum qualification for recruitment into the National Police Service (NPS) from the current D+ to grade C minus (C-).
In a report handed over to President William Ruto on Thursday, November 16, the Presidential Taskforce on Police Reforms proposed the raise in a bid to enhance professionalism in the service.
However, the minimum requirement for persons living in the marginalized areas would be maintained at D+, according to the report.
Also captured in the report is a recommendation to extend the period of training from the current nine months to 12 months as part of the strategy to boost competency.
According to the former Chief Justice David Maraga-led team, the training should also emphasize competency-based programs to align with international policing standards.
“And to enhance professionalism in NPS, the Taskforce recommends that the minimum qualifications for recruitment into the Service should be raised to grade C minus (C-) in KCSE,” the report read in part.
Further, the Taskforce recommended fresh vetting of all officers of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police and above.
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The vetting, as per the proposals, would be carried out by an independent panel to ascertain whether the current top leadership of the police has the competence, integrity and experience required to oversee the envisaged reforms.
Task force recommends changes on promotions
On promotion, the Taskforce recommended the creation of new grades namely Inspector II and I and the introduction of Constable III, II, and I, and Corporal III, II, and I within the same ranks.
The ranks will be filled competitively through promotions- according to Maraga’s team. This, the taskforce explained, would help to boost the morale of police officers who were previously affected by stagnation in the same ranks for years.
In other proposals, the Taskforce wants amendments to regulations governing transfer and deployment of officers to limit operational deployments to a period not exceeding six months.
Further, the working party recommended that no person should serve in one county for a period of more than three (3) years, save for those deployed to the specialized units.
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Ruto directs salary raise for police officers
President William Ruto on Thursday also directed the Salaries and Renumeration Commission – SRC to work towards implementing the salary reviews recommended for all police officers.
In its report, the working party recommended that the basic salary of all members of the service be increased by 40% at the lowest constable level and a 3% increment at the highest rank.
The raise, the report states, would ensure that the renumeration of members of the police service is harmonized with that of other disciplined services in the country.
Maraga’s Taskforce presented the report at State House on Thursday in a ceremony attended by President William Ruto, his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua and a host of police top leadership.
The report was a culmination of various engagements with relevant stakeholders since the establishment of the Taskforce in December 2022.
