The National Police Service (NPS) has stepped up efforts to strengthen police professionalism and operational capacity through a new training framework targeting officers throughout their careers.
This follows a National Police Service Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Internal Stakeholder Conference hosted by the National Criminal Investigations Academy (NCIA), bringing together officers from various NPS formations, directorates and departments to review training gaps and identify priority areas for improvement.
During the conference, Dr. Gideon Kirui, Deputy Director of Training and Research at the NPS Headquarters, presented the Training Needs Assessment Report, which highlights existing training requirements, institutional gaps and areas requiring capacity development.
Participants subsequently held thematic discussions aimed at developing practical recommendations to establish a competency-based, career-long training framework for the Service.
Speaking on behalf of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), NCIA Chief Instructor Solomon Musai, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CP), said the assessment presented an opportunity to transform police training and align officers’ skills with emerging security challenges.
“This process is bigger than an assessment. It is our chance to strengthen the architecture of police training, raise professional standards and align competencies with operational demands,” Musai said.
He commended the NPS leadership for prioritising training as a key pillar of effective policing, noting that the success of the assessment would ultimately depend on the implementation of its recommendations.
The conference was supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), whose partnership has contributed to strengthening police training and institutional capacity in Kenya.
The initiative seeks to advance the constitutional mandate under Article 244, which requires the National Police Service to train its officers to the highest possible standards of competence and integrity while respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.
The assessment is expected to provide an evidence-based foundation for improving police training and ensuring officers acquire the necessary skills and competencies to respond effectively to evolving security demands throughout their careers.
