Police officers in the Traffic Department are the most corrupt in the service, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police Joel Kitili. He said the vice gives the National Police Service a bad image and erodes public confidence in officers.
Speaking during the Inspector General’s conference at a Nairobi hotel, Kitili warned of dire action against officers violating professional ethics.
“It is embarrassing to the service when a police officer is arrested with wads of Sh50 notes by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers,” he said.
Kitili also singled out station commanders (OCSs) for seeking bribes from members of the public seeking their services. He said some corrupt officers manage to escape the dragnet by bribing their way to freedom and continuing with the vice and tainting other hardworking officers.
The senior officer recommended that cases involving police officers be dealt with at the station level, adding that such cases take long to conclude, hindering war on graft.
A recent report by EACC ranked Traffic police department second most corrupt at 18.8 per cent. Kitili told police officers to familiarise themselves with professional code of conduct to avoid being found on the wrong side of the law.
Speaking at the event, Interior Principal secretary Karanja Kibicho accused the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) of intimidating police officers, making it difficult for them to discharge their mandate.
He said the ministry will protect officers against undue harassment. “Kenyans must appreciate and understand the environment under which police are working,” said the PS.
Kibicho, however, urged police to shake off the corruption tag and reiterated the government’s commitment to continue investing in officers welfare.
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