The Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) is a high-ranking police officer responsible for the command, administration, and operations of the National Police Service (NPS). There are two Deputy Inspector-Generals, each heading a distinct service:
- Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service (KPS)
- Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service (APS)
These officers operate under the command of the Inspector-General (IG) and are appointed by the President with the recommendation of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
Qualifications for the Deputy Inspector-General in Kenya
To be appointed as a Deputy Inspector-General, a person must:
- Be a Kenyan citizen.
- Hold a degree from a recognized university in Kenya or an equivalent qualification.
- Have at least 15 years of experience in policing or relevant fields.
- Meet the integrity requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
- Be a serving police officer of or above the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
- Have experience in fields such as criminal justice, policy, finance, strategic management, security, law, sociology, or public administration.
Disqualifications
A person cannot be appointed as Deputy Inspector-General if they:
- Are a Member of Parliament (MP), County Assembly (MCA), Governor, or Deputy Governor.
- Have held political office in the last five years.
- Have been convicted of a criminal offense.
- Have violated the Constitution.
- Are an undischarged bankrupt.
Functions of the Deputy Inspector-General in Kenya
The functions of the Deputy Inspector-General depend on which arm of the National Police Service (NPS) they oversee.
1. Functions of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service (KPS)
Under Section 23 of the National Police Service Act, the Deputy Inspector-General of the Kenya Police Service is responsible for:
- Administering and managing the Kenya Police Service.
- Overseeing daily operations and ensuring efficiency in the Kenya Police Service.
- Implementing policies and directives of the National Police Service.
- Preparing budgets, planning, and resource allocation for the Kenya Police Service.
- Establishing and managing police stations, outposts, and units across the country.
- Ensuring police stations have proper facilities for handling public complaints.
- Supervising officers and ensuring discipline and accountability in the Kenya Police Service.
- Coordinating police training programs and improving professionalism.
- Strengthening community policing and police-public relations.
- Monitoring and evaluating police performance.
- Enhancing transparency and accountability in police operations.
- Collaborating with the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service, government agencies, and security bodies in joint security operations.
- Issuing standing orders and directives to the Kenya Police Service.
- Performing other duties assigned by the Inspector-General (IG) or required by law.
2. Functions of the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service (APS)
Under Section 27 of the National Police Service Act, the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service is responsible for:
- Managing and overseeing daily operations of the Administration Police Service.
- Providing strategic guidance for the Administration Police Service.
- Preparing budgets and resource allocation for the Administration Police Service.
- Supervising and monitoring the performance of the Administration Police Service.
- Establishing police outposts and units across Kenya.
- Ensuring proper complaint-handling facilities in Administration Police stations.
- Supervising training programs for Administration Police officers.
- Enhancing discipline, transparency, and accountability in the Administration Police Service.
- Improving relationships between the police and the community.
- Coordinating joint security operations with the Kenya Police Service, other government agencies, and security forces.
- Implementing policies and directives from the National Police Service.
- Issuing standing orders and guidelines to the Administration Police Service.
- Performing any additional duties assigned by the Inspector-General or required by law.
Removal of a Deputy Inspector-General
A Deputy Inspector-General may be removed, retired, or redeployed by the President before reaching retirement age.
Reasons for Removal
A Deputy Inspector-General may be removed if they:
- Resign from office.
- Are convicted of a criminal offense.
- Are found guilty of gross misconduct.
- Are physically or mentally incapacitated and unable to perform their duties.
- Have violated the Constitution or the law.
- Are found to be incompetent in their duties.
Conclusion
The Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) plays a critical role in the management, command, and oversight of the Kenya Police Service and the Administration Police Service. Their functions ensure law enforcement, public safety, discipline, and professionalism in the police force.
For more details, refer to the National Police Service Act.
