Police digitisation kicks off with eye on service delivery

The National Police Service has embarked on digitalisation of its services to manage human resource, enhance service delivery and address challenges within the department.

On Monday, Information, Communications and Technology Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, his counterpart in the Interior and Co-ordination of National Government ministry Fred Matiang'i, and Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinett launched the National Police Service Information Management System (IMS) in Kilifi County.

The system will boost transparency by generating feedback about officers’ performance, monitor the force as a whole and ensure transparency.

“We are starting the actual digital migration in the NPS. We want to transition in service provision to the police digital platform, NPS must be completely digitalised,” Dr Matiang’i said.

According to the security bosses, the automated system will improve transparency and professionalism in the service.

In the digitalisation, the police will have web based occurrence books (OB) as well as other services. Under the new system, all OBs at police stations will be digitilised to monitor how cases are dealt with. NPS chief executive Joe Onyango said digitalisation will store information on officers countrywide.

Mr Onyango said the digitalisation will also help check pressures that affect the performance of officers.

“It will give us a sound scientist background to respond to social needs, we want to look at and study trends of our staff.

“It will ensure efficient and effective police services especially on human resource. We want real data, we are taking statistics of all police officers,” Mr Onyango said.

On his part, Mr Mucheru said digitalisation will help to curb crimes. “Digitalisation is paramount in all government departments.”

Dr Matiang’i said the transition will start with the human resource information management system.

The system will capture details of police officers including their IDs, certificate of appointment, KRA pin, family background, academic qualifications, rank, and service history.