A Kenyan police officer, armed with a university degree, has turned to Blogger Milton Nyakundi to voice deep-seated grievances regarding the treatment of degree-holding officers within the National Police Service (NPS).
Despite obtaining a degree in Criminology from a reputable Kenyan university and enlisting in the NPS in 2018 with the noble aim of deploying acquired skills to serve the nation and uphold law and order, the officer bemoans the apparent lack of regard for academic credentials within the NPS.
The officer discloses being relegated to the same rank and pay grade as counterparts with lower educational attainments, including individuals with only a D+ grade in their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
“Some of us are even earning less than high school graduates due to HELB loans. I was deprived of opportunities for career growth or professional enhancement. Instead of being recognized as a cadet inspector, the fundamental entry level for graduates, I was treated as a mere constable, with scant regard for my education or expertise,” the officer shared.
This sentiment resonates with numerous other police officers holding degrees in diverse fields such as security management, management science, public policy, and law.
“I am not alone in this plight. There are numerous police officers who hold degrees in various disciplines, including security management, management science, public policy, law, and other fields. They too encounter similar obstacles and frustrations,” the officer added.
Despite endeavors to raise concerns with both the NPS and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), no satisfactory resolution has been forthcoming.
The officer expresses dismay at feeling marginalized and taken advantage of by the NPS and urges both the NPS and the NPSC to address these grievances.
Specifically, they advocate for recognition and equitable compensation through the Specialized Officers Incentive Program (SOIP) based on their degrees, as well as acknowledgment of their academic qualifications and professional contributions.
Underlining the aspiration to serve the country with dignity and professionalism, the officer underscores that they seek nothing beyond what they rightfully deserve.
They aspire for their voices to be heard and for tangible measures to be taken to effect necessary reforms, drawing upon past instances where academic achievements within the NPS were duly recognized and rewarded.
