The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has praised the National Police Service for upholding integrity and professionalism.
Commissioner Micah Onyiego
said, unlike other regions where incidents of police officers using excessive
force are reported, the region has none.
“We want to extend our sincere commendation to the
police officers serving in northeastern Kenya for their exemplary conduct and
professionalism while dealing with the public. We appreciate their work. We know this region
has many issues in terms of insecurity but they have remained professional,” he said.
Onyiego urged the public to work closely with the
security agencies, saying their mandate ensure the officers act in a professional manner.
“I am urging the communities around, the youth, elders
and religious leaders to work together with the security agencies to receive the services they deserve. Police are not enemies. What we have
witnessed in other parts of the country, citizens attacking the police officers, is
unwarranted. We want our citizens to work with the police,” he said.
Garissa Township deputy county commissioner Sebastian Okiring said confidence rate in police officers has risen to 72 per cent, following the close working relationship.
“As at November last year, the relationship between communities and law enforcement agencies was as low as 30 per cent but as of
today, the confidence has risen to 72 per cent. This is an indication that the
law enforcement agencies and the public are coming together and we expect to do
more with this kind of relationship,” he said.
“With this kind of relationship, we are able to get
information in time and act on it to avert lurking dangers."
Samson Chelugo, a police officer, urged the public to report
their dissatisfaction with police officers to Ipoa.
“As the National Police Service, we work very closely with the communities and Ipoa. We have told members of the public that there is an alternative office to report to if they feel aggrieved or their issues are not addressed at the police station," he said.
“As the police, we are your brothers, your sons; we
are your relatives and neighbours. We need to live as one. Our mandate is to
provide security and ensure everything is well protected. Members of the
public are our clients and we cannot exist without them."
Fatuma Bathi, a human rights defender, praised security officers, saying that their relationship with
members of the public has greatly improved over the years.
She said this has greatly contributed to improved
security since wananchi no longer view the police as enemies but as individuals, who ensure ensure law and order is maintained.
“I am happy to report that the relationship between the security apparatus and members of the public has greatly improved. Something that was not there before. The community now knows where to report if there is an offense against a police officer,” she said
