In a significant move aimed at bolstering accountability within the law enforcement sector, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) Disciplinary Committee declared its intention to commence disciplinary proceedings against senior police officers across the country.
The NPSC commissioners, led by Chairperson Edwin Kinuthia, made this announcement during their visit to the General Service Unit (GSU) Embakasi B and Magadi Field Campus.
The upcoming hearings are specifically directed at cases involving senior police officers holding the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and above.
This extensive nationwide operation is scheduled to be completed within four days.
Kinuthia highlighted that the senior officers from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) will undergo scrutiny.
According to the National Police Service Act, complaints against senior officers can be brought before the disciplinary committee by members of the public, fellow officers, or state organs. The Act also includes provisions for anonymous witness statements or statements from other investigations unrelated to police service matters.
During the four-day disciplinary hearing process, statements will be collected from the complainant, available witnesses, and the officer facing accusations.
Upon the conclusion of the four-day period, the committee will submit recommendations to Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome regarding the appropriate disciplinary actions.
The disciplinary committee comprises the Deputy Inspector-General of the respective service to which the accused officer belongs, two representatives from the Kenya Police Service, and two representatives from the Administration Police Service. In cases involving officers from the DCI, one of the two Kenya Police Service representatives must come from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
While the recommendations from the hearings will be forwarded to IG Koome for necessary action, any officer dissatisfied with the decision has the option to request a review of the findings by the commission.
Possible sanctions for officers found guilty include reprimand, suspension, or confinement to barracks or police residential quarters. As per the Act, officers who are interdicted or suspended will have their powers, privileges, and benefits suspended, but they will remain subject to disciplinary rules and penalties as if they had not been interdicted or suspended.
The disciplinary committee may also recommend alternative penalties, such as a reduction in salary by no more than one-third of the basic salary for a maximum of three months, a fine not exceeding one-third of the basic salary, an order of restitution, or the suspension of salary increments for a specified period not exceeding one year. In cases of serious offenses, the committee may suggest a reduction in rank or dismissal from the service of the concerned officer.