70 OCSs moved in police changes

More than 70 Officer Commanding Stations (OCS) have been moved in changes aimed at enhancing police operations.

The changes termed normal, were announced by police headquarters. 

More than 20 of the affected commanders are in Nairobi Police Command. Among those affected are Shauri Moyo, Kilimani, Kayole, Dandora, Embakasi, Huruma, Runda, Soweto and Umoja OCSs.

New changes

The commanders are now being referred to as Ward Police Commanders in new changes affecting the police structure.

To further strengthen police command at the grassroots, all chiefs' camps, which were initially manned by APs, were converted into police posts.

Each of the wards across the country will also have a police station under the command of a ward police commander, who will replace the former OCS.

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai said competence and professionalism would guide the deployment of OCS’s across the country.

The police boss said stations are the major service delivery points to the members of the public who require services.

He also added that officers commanding various police stations together with their deputies will be picked from across the services based on their performances. OCSs' are the main drivers of police service in the country.

Each of the country’s wards was given a police station and put under the command of the ward police commander, replacing the former OCS.

All Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) officers have been moved to APS which has been left with four units including ASTU, Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Border Patrol Unit (BPU) and Critical Infrastructure and Security of Government Buildings unit.

New uniforms

All specialized unit officers who include ASTU, RDU RBPU are being issued with General Service Unit (GSU) like combat uniform as their operational clothing while general duty officers will have the new blue uniforms.

Meanwhile, the specialized units will have the same operation area uniform whose roll out is immediate, the general duty uniform will be rolled out gradually because of the huge number of those involved.

It has also been resolved that most of the 3,200 leased police vehicles will be available for patrol following the presidential directive to reduce wastage.