Exemplary police officers stuck in rank to be promoted

Inspector General of police Hillary Mutyambai (pictured) has ordered the promotion of junior police officers who have stayed in one rank for more than 10 years.

He said it is wrong for a police officer to be stuck in one rank for more than ten years yet he or she is performing duties with exemplary.

“I have ordered that those who have stayed in one rank for more than ten years and have no disciplinary cases be urgently considered for promotion,” he said.

At the same time, he ordered the promotion of Kilimani Head of Directorate of Criminal Investigations Ms Fatuma Hadi for her exemplary work.

The police boss said Ms Hadi had solved many cases in her area of jurisdiction that has left the place safe in general.

“Let us appreciate her leadership and promote her to the next rank. We have to appreciate good work,” he said.

Mutyambai made the remarks at the weekend during a party for Flying Squad in Nairobi which was also attended by DCI George Kinoti.

He urged stressed police officers to talk out freely as this would help ease any form of crisis.

“If you have any problem please talk out. The issue is serious among male officers and urge them to engage their colleagues and friends. I am committed in helping them,” he said.

Mutyambai revealed the National Police Service Commission plans to promote over 500 police constables who are above the age of 50 in move to tackle stagnation.

All constables who are above 50 years have been ordered to submit their details to their bosses for consideration.

A memo from police headquarters to all formations in the country said the commission is in the process of looking into cases of police constables who are 50 years and above with a view to consider them for promotion in order to boost their morale.

“You are requested to urgently submit to Deputy Inspector General names and details of the officers in the category… the information should be submitted to the vigilance data centre on or before May 9, 2019,” said the memo dated May 6.

There are many constables who have worked for more than 30 years in same rank which the commission feels affects their morale.

Commission chairman Eliud Kinuthia said the aging officers without disciplinary cases will benefit from the promotions set to be concluded by July this year.

A constable is the junior most officer in the National Police Service and are ranked at the bottom. A newly recruited constable earns about Sh20,000.

Kinuthia added they will also move officers who have served for more than 10 years in hardship areas to other stations perceived to be better. The developments will affect officers serving in all units in NPS.

“We will implement these changes fairly. There has been a feeling of unfairness among some officers and it is part of the reasons we are rolling out the changes,” he said.

He said the recently introduced reforms are going to work well for the service.