By Kwabe Victor,
Director of Criminal Investigations, George Kinoti, has addressed the
incessant verbal insults at police officers, calling on members of the public to respect their line of work.
The DCI boss said this during the launch of training for 20 million citizens on digital skills in partnership with the government and Kodris Africa at Serena Hotel on June 8.
Cautioning citizens and August poll candidates against such
utterances to the people who are mandated with provision of security for
citizens through the ups and downs of any situation.
Head of DCI said though most of the officers may
not have attained the highest academic qualifications it did not make them less capable or unworthy of respect.
Kinoti told Kenyans to celebrate the officers for their emotional intelligence and ability to keep a level head in tough conditions, instead of making fun of them.
“When you provoke that police officer taking care of you who
is ready to take his blood, with a fully loaded gun, then when all factors
remain constant, he’s most likely to react. Instead of celebrating our
emotional intelligence, you make fun of our academics,” said George Kinoti.
Further stating the need to support and congratulate armed
officers in charge of the provision of security, for their state of control,
and not reacting to everything they come by or that is thrown at them while on
duty.
Reasons for Concern
Kinot words come following concern over the rise of incidences involving politicians speaking demeaningly to police officers, who in most cases have
opted to stay silent.
Senator Cleophas Malala is on the spotlights following remarks he made during a rally at Kakamega County last month.
Malala said police work did not need
highly qualified personnel owing to the job’s nature.
“Provided
they got two arms and legs, let them join the police service. A police service
job only entails handling firearms, which doesn’t need training. Let those who
have passed their examinations go to universities, as those who failed and
dropped out join the police service.” Cleophas Malala claimed.
Malala whose speech went viral on social media for
belittling the police service for saying their job should be a preserve of
people who dropped out of school, was told to apologize to the National Police
Service over his remarks.
“My attention has been drawn to a video
circulating on social media about my utterances on the Police. I wish to
categorically state that my remarks were taken totally out of context. Their
importance to us cannot be underscored. It is in light of this that I wish to
withdraw my remarks and apologize to our disciplined forces for the discomfort
my remarks may have caused.” Malala’s apology posted on his Facebook account, read in response.
