Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai unveiled a counselling program for police officers and their families at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) training school.
Through the programme, police officers will receive psychological support in a bid to address the rising cases of suicide and mental disorders. Families of police officers will also be included in the programme.
“The recruited staff will be instrumental in offering psychological support to police officers and their families with a view to improving their life skills,” noted Mutyambai.
Besides offering counselling services to the police officers, the unit will also help in the formulation of counselling policies for the National Police Service.
During the event, NPS also unveiled a team of 74 civilian staff who will work together with members of the police service in offering these counseling services.
IG Mutyambai expressed optimism that the move will address the rising cases of suicide and killings involving police officers.
Just last month, the late Caroline Kangogo made headlines after she was suspected of fatally shooting Police Constable John Ogweno and businessman Peter Ndigwa.
According to a recent report by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), at least 483 people had committed suicide in the past three months from March to June 2021.
The report also symbolised the gruelling state depicted by the country as the numbers reached an all-time high.
"We have never recorded such a high number of suicides before and this is not only alarming but calls for urgent remedial measures," DCI boss George Kinoti stated.
Over the recent months, several police officers either committed suicide or were involved in a homicide.
