The police command at Vigilance house has introduced an open door policy to deal decisively with matters affecting officers at all levels, particularly vulnerable ones in the lower cadres to minimize suicide incidences related to frustrations.
The Inspector General (IG) of Police, Joseph Boinett said that failure to address grievances and concerns of officers has been found to cause heightened depression leading some to take own lives.
The IG said on Saturday in a message communicated by a Deputy Commissioner in his office, Paul Wanjama during this year’s Joint prayers and thanksgiving service for uniformed disciplined force.
“Those in Command positions must appreciate that failure to listen to these concerns, some of which are of human nature can lead to catastrophic decisions made at the spur of the moment including taking one’s life through self- inflicted gunshots,’’ Boinett noted.
Boinnet added, “Some of these eventualities can be redressed by listening to one another and counseling those below us.”
The Embu Catholic Bishop, Paul Kariuki who presided over the service held at the Embu Catholic Church and attended by Service Commanders from the Police, Administration Police, Kenya Wildlife services, Prisons Department and Forest Service reminded Kenyans that security enforcement agencies were human beings and must be treated as such.
Bishop Kariuki said police at times faced insurmountable challenges in the line of duty, including death, “and as a society we must learn to appreciate their commitment to protect life and property.
“Whenever we face crisis, some of which are lethal in nature, we are quick to question where the police are but we nonetheless fall short of commending them when matters are safe on our sides,” he noted.
The cleric commended Kenyan Law enforcement agencies for their resilience; versatility and bravery even at worst cases of personal danger. “I want to assure you that we at the Christian Conference of Bishops will stand by you since we appreciate that your roles to humanity is similar to ours,” he added.
The theme of this year’s prayer service was, ‘Trust in God’ and the sermon dwelt mainly on the need to turn to prayer at times of peace and even challenges in life.
It was also attended by Deputy Prison’s commander, Florence Omundi and a representative of Eastern Regional Commissioner’s office, Wycliffe Opiyo.
By Nthigah Nyagah
