IG ought to rein in errant officers
That police commanders routinely suppress crime figures and downgrade offences to less serious crimes, in order to look better in the eyes of the public and their bosses cannot be gainsaid.
Sadly, a trend is now emerging where some senior police commanders deliberately destroy evidence even where innocent lives have been lost in the hands of officers whose role is to protect life and property.
Questions are being raised in the recent case on the death of two brothers who were arrested by police only for their bodies to be found later on the road.
While witnesses maintain the two were arrested and taken to the police station, authorities claim they jumped out of a moving vehicle.
Police submitted a report to headquarters that the two were involved in a fatal road accident.
Reports of extra-judicial killings are even more skewed, and exacerbated by the fact the police officers involved in such attacks are the very people conducting initial investigations.
The buck stops with the Inspector General of Police. He should ensure his officers follow the law as he exercises independent command of the service.
Hillary Mutyambai ‘s office must facilitate the probe into the brothers’ deaths to establish what transpired and deliver justice to the bereaved family.
According to police regulations, officers should immediately take all necessary steps to secure evidence which may be relevant for the investigation and immediately notify the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa), in case such any action leads to death or serious injury.
It is an offence not to report such cases to Ipoa. The oversight authority and the Internal Affairs Unit are some of the institutions tasked with investigating complaints related to disciplinary or criminal offences committed by police officers.
But cases abound in which information is distorted or witnesses threatened by officers to protect their colleagues.
The consequence of this is continued loss of lives in police hands and impunity.
This must not be allowed to continue and the buck squarely stops at the door of the police command especially in ranks charged with supervision of junior offices.
Increase in the number of deaths blamed on the officers raise questions about the quality training.
The Interior Cabinet Secretary and the National Assembly should also give attention to police investigation reports on matters of national importance and institute urgent action as guided by the relevant laws and the Constitution.
