The National Police Service Commission (NPSC) has been advised to consider training academic professionals before being absorbed into service, in a new plan.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago gave this advise even as NPSC plans to roll out a program that recruits academic professionals into levels of inspectors.
Speaking as he hosted NPSC chair Johnstone Kavulidi for a courtesy call, Mandago said training will be crucial.
"I feel those citizens recruited into inspectors should be taken through rigorous training because police service is practical," said Mandago in Eldoret on Monday.
The NPSC's new recruitment plan of professionals absorbs holders of degrees into service as police inspectors. However, Kavuludi said structures are yet to be set up.
The commission is in a phase two program of vetting police officers across the country. The grilling program is running in all regions, with Kavuludi leading the outreach in Upper Rift to Western regions.
Mandago praised the vetting of police officers, saying it has structures and works to ensure the country has suitable and competent officers.
Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno also lauded the Kavuludi-chaired commission, saying the vetting exercise also works to make police service an enviable career, especially considering those who pass the test are awarded certificates.
The vetting process is geared towards establishing whether officers were qualified to join police service, have gone through requisite training for growth and development, have unblemished financial status, and human rights (reactions of the public about service certain officers).
The outcome of the vetting process leads to either officer being removed from service, being promoted and disciplinary control in terms of reduction in ranks.