The Kenya Police has been implementing some changes in its law enforcement processes. It started with the plan to switch their attire from the sky-blue tops to blue uniforms, to the launch of digital Occurrence Books (OB) that aim to improve real-time reporting of crime and management of cases.
Now, the Police will be required to take a compulsory ICT class for a maximum of six months, says the CS for Interior Dr. Okeng’o Matiang’i.
The training aims to transform police work with new technology that has an important implication for the force. Generally speaking, the advent of smart devices and information technology, backed by access to vast amounts of public and police-specific data, implies that there is potential for the Kenya Police to be better equipped and informed and make better use of tech devices and services at their disposal.
The training exercise will be conducted with the Ministry of ICT as the state looks forward to transforming police work.
CS Matiang’i announced the coaching activity during the launch of the National Police Service Information Management System (IMS). The system is said to boost transparency by generating feedback about the Police’s performance and monitoring the force as a whole.
The IMS will be used to make the right decisions such as job promotion that will hopefully weed out favouritism. It will also ensure that all Police departments are seamlessly integrated because IMS uses those connected systems are connected to get access to data and create reports. Other functions include online application of leaves and tracking officers in the field using their phones, as well as a financial component that will onboard Police Saccos to offer loans to officers.
The introduction of IMS will precede the digitization of other Police departments such as Human Resource and general police operations. Lastly, and according to CS Joe Mucheru who was also in attendance, the system is in line with Vision 30 pillars that aim to digitize and automate all government services.
