In achieving the 21st century policing standards, it is imperative to increase the number of women joining the National Police Service. As at January 2023, only a maximum of 14.5 per cent of the officers serving in the National Police Service were female.
This is way below the Constitutional threshold of at least 33 per cent. While the National Police Service Commission and the NPS are aware of the need to diversify the police workforce, diversity initiatives often focus more on ethnicity than gender.
This is a fallacy because, in the 2019 population census, women account for 50.5 per cent of the Kenyan population and having such a small percentage in the NPS, leaves almost half of the population excluded from a career in which they can make a positive impact.
Various institutions including the National Gender and Equality Commission and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority have made various recommendations touching on gender equality in the NPS.
These proposals include establishment of gender desks and gender officers in all police stations, cascading of the Policare (One stop centres for addressing cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence) model to the police stations and inclusion of women in top decision-making organs of the NPS.
There is also affirmative action in transfer and promotion of female officers in the Service. These, among other proposals, will definitely call for increased enrolment of more women into the Service.
For the country to achieve the standards of modern day policing, it is mandatory to appreciate some unique and valuable professional qualities that female officers bring to policing. These unique qualities enhance the impact the law enforcers make in the communities they serve.
For instance, a study done by Erik Fritsvold (academic director for the Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership program in Sandiego University) indicates that women are less likely to use excessive force or pull their weapon in times of confrontation or on regular policing duties.
Isn’t this a strong point that would encourage recruitment of more women in the NPS, especially in Kenya where statistics of misuse of firearms are high? Further, female officers are more likely to grasp skills aimed at addressing crimes of violence and sexual harassment against women, improve police-community relations and are more likely to remain calm and collected while solving problems in the line of law enforcement.
In Kenya, other sectors including the political and corporate sectors have recorded increased enrolment of women and as these numbers grow, the NPS need not be left behind.
For instance, in the political scene, in the 2022 general election, Kenyans elected a record seven female governors and a number of parliamentarians, including in the Senate. I believe the election of these women is on the basis of their capabilities and the unique leadership skills they possess.
Besides, at least eight of the 15 constitutional commissions and independent offices birthed by Chapter 15 of the Constitution of Kenya are led by women. These examples, among others, are a clear indication that women can have an impact even in the NPS and it is time the NPSC and NPS increased the women quota in future recruitment exercises.
Research and policy expert
