Best performing police officers were rewarded at an awards ceremony organized by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), with the support of local and international partners. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery presided over the function and US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec was among the noted guests.
“This is an opportunity for us all to keep focusing on the policing strategies necessary towards building a better, secure and safe country that we must all stand to defend,” stated Nkaisserry.
He further explained that the public will play a crucial role in ensuring that quality democratic policing services are rendered and the best officers get recognized and appreciated.
It will also provide an opportunity for the public, who are the main recipients of policing services, to rate individual officers and the police premises they have interacted with.
“Awarding outstanding police officers or facilities at such times, through nominations by members of the public brings hope that the National Police Service is transforming the profession,” Nkaissery said.
He pointed out that it is the country’s desire that solutions to what ails our police service be creatively found through partnerships with others.
The awards were categorised according to; Best Individual Police Officer-Female, Best Individual Police Officer-Male, Best Detention or Holding Facility, and Best Police Facility in Orderliness and Cleanliness.
There was also an award for best Facility in Community Policing, Human Rights Awards, Posthumous Bravery Awards and Outstanding Police Service Awards Special.
The awards were introduced by IPOA in conjunction with the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), National Police Service (NPS), Huduma Kenya, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Rotary Club of Nairobi, Transparency International, the Usalama Reforms Forum and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC).