In Kenya, suspects are ordered to follow a particular protocol after arrest, including being informed of their right to remain silent before being taken to the police station for booking and being instructed to remove their shoelaces, one shoe, belts, neckties, jewellery, hats or caps, outer jackets or coats, as well as their wallets and phones.
Speaking to the Kenya Times, a former Kenyan police officer based in Umoja, Embakasi, explains why Kenyan police follow this particular protocol and how it helps in performing their duties to safeguard the population.
Police Protocol After Arresting Suspects
Removal of One Shoe
The removal of one shoe in Kenyan police stations is a deliberate security measure.
If a detainee tries to run, having only one shoe makes it uncomfortable and slows them down, reducing the chance of a successful escape.
“According to Kenyan police, shoes can be used as weapons or to hide sharp objects and removing one shoe reduces this risk while still allowing some comfort.”
The police also state that it indicates the person is in custody and discourages hasty escape attempts.
This practice is common in many stations, especially during short-term holding before formal booking.
Removal of Belts, Shoelaces, Neckties, and Scarves
According to Kenyan police, belts, scarves, shoelaces, neckties, and shoelaces must be removed after arrest to prevent the strangulation of suspects in holding cells.
Removing them reduces suicide risk, which is a major concern in custody environments.
According to Kenyan police, these items can be turned into binders or can be used to choke someone to death, as well as being tied together to create ropes for escape attempts.
Belts and shoelaces help secure clothing and shoes for running, and removing them makes fleeing uncomfortable and harder for suspects.
Scarves and belts can hide small items like drugs or sharp objects, and the police ensure they remove them so that nothing dangerous enters the cell.
Removal of Jewellery & Watches
The police confiscate the jewellery and watches of suspects as these items are valuable and could be stolen in crowded holding cells.
Police stations keep them in safekeeping to avoid liability.
Rings, chains, or watches can be used to injure others, or as improvised weapons, according to the police, and small items like drugs or razor blades can be hidden inside watch straps or jewellery.
In some cases, jewellery may be linked by the police to a crime, for instance during an instance dealing with stolen property, and therefore secure them for investigation.
Removal of Outer Jackets & Caps
Jackets and caps have pockets or linings that can hide drugs, weapons, or other prohibited items, and police remove them to ensure thorough searches and prevent smuggling into cells.
Kenyan police say suspects can use heavy jackets to conceal their identity or even as a shield during an escape attempt.
They further state that caps can obscure the face of suspects, making identification harder on CCTV or by officers.
Jackets can also be rolled up and used as a weapon or to choke someone, and caps with hard brims or metal parts are said to have the ability to cause serious harm.
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Also, clothing may carry forensic evidence, such as blood and fibres relevant to a case, which is therefore properly secured.
Confiscation of Wallets and Phones
According to the police, suspects can use phones to coordinate escapes, intimidate witnesses, or arrange bribes, and removing them ensures controlled communication through official channels.
Phones may contain incriminating messages or call logs that suspects may be tempted to delete, while wallets may hold IDs, receipts, or items relevant to investigations.
Police believe that these items are valuable and could be stolen in crowded holding cells; therefore, they opt to keep them to avoid liability.
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Wallets can also hide drugs, SIM cards, or small blades that suspects can use while in custody.
Phones, most importantly, can store data or apps that aid in criminal activity, and police choose to never allow suspects, especially those involved in high-profile cases.
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