Kenya’s National Police Service says it has adopted the use of technology to increase accountability within the service and enhance service delivery for the citizens.
The service spokesperson Resila Onyango has said this in an interview with local media.
Onyango said that the use of technology is one of the ways to professionalize the police service.
The Police Spokesperson noted that crime and investigations have become complex necessitating the adoption of more advanced technology.
“We have been embracing technology through the modernization programme of the National Police Service. We have integrated command centre at the police headquarters where the Inspector General of Police seats,” she said.
Onyango stated that the centre is integrated in a way that allows the NPS to provide surveillance within the city through CCTV cameras
She noted that the use of technology has made a huge difference in combating crime across the country singling out motor vehicle theft which she says it has made it easier to track the criminals.
“This does help in preventing crimes and detecting especially when we have stolen motor vehicles, we are able to check if they passed through those streets that have that technology,” she added.
The Police Spokesperson also pointed out that the NPS currently has state-of-the-art technology that is being used to monitor the country’s border.
She further added that the service also has in place the national forensics lab which seats at the DCI headquarters pointing out that it offers a variety of services ranging from ballistics and imaging support and bomb expertise.
We are looking forward to embracing technology much higher,” Onyango said.
The Police Spokesperson said that technology has also made it easier to solve complex crimes and also made communication easier and faster between the security agencies while executing their mandate.
“Without putting a percentage to it, scientifically technology is one of those aspects of policing that is very significant to policing in this country and we are embracing it,” she said.
While commenting on Chief Justice David Maraga-led national taskforce on police and Kenya prison officers reforma, Onyango said that the NPS is awaiting the task force’s recommendations and looking forward to their implementation.
She argued that once operationalized, the reforms will enable the NPS to be more effective and efficient in service delivery
