Tough new rules for police jobs
Lieutenant-Colonel Isako Jaldesa inspecting some of the recruits during the recruitment of military personnel at Karisa Maitha stadium in Kilifi Town on November 13, 2014. PHOTO | GEORGE KIKAMI |
What you need to know:
- The new recruitment regulations require candidates to start by applying for the positions within certain time limits before the commission considers them.
- This comes after the High Court nullified the recent recruitment exercise in 289 centres, a ruling that cost the taxpayers Sh87 million used on the exercise. The 8,749 individuals selected must now start chasing their dreams afresh.
Kenyans wishing to join the police force will henceforth go through three critical stages before being considered for training, we can reveal.
The new recruitment regulations require candidates to start by applying for the positions within certain time limits before the commission considers them.
During shortlisting, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) will take into account gender, regional and ethnic balancing. There will also be a thorough examination of the candidates’ backgrounds.
Those shortlisted will then be invited for the second phase, which will involve physical, aptitude and medical assessment.
This will be done in different recruitment centres, where the candidates’ suitability will be tested by a selection panel. Documents will be verified at this stage.
CLOSE SUPERVISION
There will be close supervision by accredited observers. Selectors will then forward the names of shortlisted candidates to the NPSC for the final decision.
This will be a shift from the current arrangement, where candidates throng recruitment centres across the country and are either selected or left out by panels after physical exercise tests and verification of documents.
The new requirements are aimed at ridding police recruitment of corruption and nepotism that have characterised the exercise.
The tough regulations, dubbed "The National Police Service Commission (Recruitment and Appointments) Regulations 2014’, were prepared by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the NPSC, and were approved by Parliament last week.
This comes after the High Court nullified the recent hiring exercise in 289 centres, a ruling that cost taxpayers Sh87 million, which is what the exercise cost. The 8,749 individuals selected must now start chasing their dreams afresh.
“The selection panel will comprise an officer not below the rank of a superintendent, as assigned by the commission who shall be the chairperson,” the rules say.
The panel will also have an education officer, a medical officer, two police officers not below the rank of chief inspector who will be joint secretaries and any other officer(s) the commission may deem necessary from time to time.
“Those shortlisted by the recruitment panel shall, to the best extent possible reflect regional, ethnic and gender balance,” according to the regulations.
