Cops need intellect, not just muscles, speed

With the devastating rise in insecurity in Kenya, there has been need for more numbers in security personnel. The recent recruitment of potential police officers is indicative of this need.

I, however, think we should be finicky about the persons that form part of our country’s security machinery. The minimum academic qualification for joining the Police Service is, I found, too low.

It is my fear that Kenyans don’t associate the field of security with elitism. One may argue that what is key is numbers and nothing else. We saw images in the media of applicants being physically examined – which I understood – but I posit that other qualities are also essential, such as intellectual ability. Skills like problem-solving and decision-making should be assessed as well.

Choosing those with the fastest legs, burliest arms and strongest teeth is not sufficient.

When tackling a foe, strategy or intellect is always better than well-toned muscles or a firm grip. Brains always trump brawn.

For years, we have associated a police officer with the image of a surly, semi-illiterate school drop-out whose speech is drenched with mother-tongue interference. We should work to change our perception or image of what an average police officer should be like.

In future, I would like to see the recruiters administer a preliminary standardised written examination, along with the physical one. In countries like the US, before one is able to apply to the police force, a test is administered to him, which he must study for and pass.

One must also attend the police academy, whose programmes are quite cut-throat and hands-on. Failure to employ such recruitment techniques may be what makes Kenya fall short of a sophisticated security system. An example closer home are the police academies in South Africa. Aspiring students must pass a strict selection criteria as well as a formal interview.

The course has a very practical approach; not just theoretical as is the case in Kenya. Actually, the predominance of theoretical learning is what causes us to produce “semi-professionals”. It is no surprise then that our education system is letting us down. And it is certainly no surprise that Kenyan professionals don’t always match up to the international yardstick.

Worse still, there are always those who want to stifle any kind of hopeful reformation of the education system and general employee training. Even the manner in which student attachments are handled leaves a lot to be desired. Students from all universities undergo their attachment at the same time and this causes congestion and disorganisation.

Then they cannot be properly supervised and hence learn little or nothing.

Yet these are the professionals Kenya will depend on. Universities should come up with an arrangement that lets students learn during attachment – as they should. But I digress. Now, back to the South African example. Once the academy graduates are posted to various police stations, the learning doesn’t stop there.

They receive field training.

Laxity and leaving things to chance is not what others practise, so why should Kenyans?

Discipline and being thorough should be qualities that are revered, and striven for.

Our fellow Africans to the South have achieved such high standards, and so can we.

The recruitment process in Kenya should be restructured to be more inclusive of other education systems like IGCSE which is recognised in some Kenyan schools. It is unfair to lock out such applicants. Besides, the inception of a standard entry test would eliminate the ‘problem’ of IGCSE applicants.

It may be argued that the more elitist types may be hesitant to join any line of work that will put blisters and bruises on their delicate classroom hands and puts their lives on the line. Introducing strong incentives would be helpful.

The US uses this method to encourage people to enlist in the US Army.

For instance, once one has served, they get hiring preference when they return home.

The soldiers’ families also receive monetary support or compensation, if you like. And the soldiers get bonuses. Perhaps if Kenya was more appreciative of its protectors, things would be different.