The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has conducted promotion interviews for 183 Police Officers who have undergone Higher Training Course (HTC) and Senior Training Course-(STC) with the aim of improving public performance in the security sector.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, the National Police Service Chairperson Eliud Kinuthia said that the presser has been convened by the commission for purposes of communicating the current status of NPSC work to create awareness to the public of their performance.
The chairman said that officers serving at the level of Chief Inspector of Police have attended a six-month course and the interviews are meant to determine those who will be promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police to begin their career as Gazette Officers.
He emphasized that the NPSC mandate is to recruit, appoint and also determine promotions, transfers and exercise disciplinary control in accordance with Article 246 of the Constitution.
Additionally, he said that the promotions regulations and NPSC Act 2011 provides that the Commission may delegate the promotion of officers into two groups including below the rank of Superintendent of Police to the Inspector General.
“The Commission undertakes promotions of officers of the rank or above the rank of a Superintendent. The ultimate objective of delegation is to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in the management of the Human Resources in the Service,” he said.
“In line with this provision, the Commission is pleased to announce the interviews for 183 police officers who successfully completed the Higher Training Course and Senior Training Course. The interviews kicked off on 22nd October, 2024 and will go on until 29th October,2024 at the Commission offices at CBK Pension Towers,” said Kinuthia.
He stated that this will add to the 515 Chief inspectors promoted since 2019 when the current Commission assumed office.
Kinuthia explained that 290 officer were promoted in 2019, 63 in 2021 promoted and 162 in 2022.
The Chairman announced that the 6-month promotional courses are designed to prepare officers who are currently serving in the rank of Chief Inspector to acquire the leadership roles in the Kenya Police Service, the Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
“The goal is to ensure that police training delivers the requisite leadership and managerial skills that will ensure that the National Police Service provides World class policing,” he emphasized.
Kinuthia said that the selection criteria for officers attending these courses is determined by respective NPS Promotion Boards in line with guidelines provided by the Commission, ensuring that only deserving candidates are nominated based on merit and service record.
He added that the rigorous training is conducted at the National Police Service training campuses in Kiganjo and Emali where the candidates are assessed on various issues including governance, financial management, communication skills, ethics, leadership and managerial skills and general police work that will improve the performance of the NPS.
“The Commission will also consider other criteria including academic qualifications, and discipline,” he stated, adding that accordance to the National Police Service Commission (Promotions) Regulations, 2015, undergoing promotional training does not automatically entitle an officer to promotion but instead, the training shall be considered alongside other requirements for the position in which promotion is desired.
At the same time, he said that the process ensures that promotions are based on a holistic evaluation of qualifications, merit, and other established criteria not just on the completion of training, noting that the promotions are not automatic.
He said that an officers must demonstrate competence and readiness to assume higher responsibilities since officers who may not meet the requisite standards and fail the interview, may not get promoted based on the Commissions assessment.
The Chair said that the Commission plans to publish in the Kenya Gazette all officers who will be promoted in this category whose ranks range from Assistant Superintendent of Police, Superintended, Senior Superintendent, commissioner of police, Assistant Inspector General and Senior Assistant Inspector General.
“They will also have the authority to conduct disciplinary processes for officers within their jurisdiction through the sub-ordinate disciplinary committees. The gazettement will further grant them the privilege to communicate on matters within their jurisdiction,” he expounded.
Additionally, he said that it will broaden the officer’s opportunities to serve in other senior positions in government as the Commission assures the candidates of its commitment to a fair, transparent process and promotions based on merit and integrity.
By Sharon Atieno
