Officers turn to Bible in war on crime

The officers brought in the items one by one with the priest placing a hand on them. The officers on the other hand, brought food including bananas and maize flour, perhaps to symbolize the fruits of their labour.

Most of the 200 officers at the mass actively participated in the prayers, loudly singing hymns, and reading verses from the Bible.

But despite the officers’ efforts, perceptions, it seems, are hard to change. Mr Stanley Maina, a trader who runs a stall a few meters from the prayer venue, was not convinced the ceremony marked a new beginning for the law enforcers.

“A policeman will always be a policeman,” he said accusing the police of taking bribes and convicting people on trumped up charges. “If a policeman gets saved it’s a waste of time because their behaviour will always be the same. Only God can change them,” he continued.

Central deputy provincial commissioner Ms Ann Ngetich, who attended the prayers, warned administration police officers against taking bribes to condone the sale of illicit brews. We have to keep asking ourselves why these brews are still available when we have officers in charge of those areas, she said on the sidelines of the prayer meeting, which it was announced would be made an annual event.