The National Police Service (NPS) has castigated Kakamega Senator, Cleophas Malala, for making demeaning remarks on the profession after he called on police to hire school dropouts.
In a statement dated Wednesday, May 25, NPS condemned the utterances, terming them as demeaning to such a noble profession that employs thousands of Kenyans, including graduates.
Police spokesperson, Bruno Shioso, insisted that the profession is anchored in the constitution and the hiring process is guided by discipline, academic qualifications and physical fitness.
"We as NPS fraternity, including our dear families and friends, are utterly disappointed with such unwarranted and outrageous remarks, which we find too demeaning and only aimed at scandalizing a noble profession deployed in the service and good of the public.
"That, more disappointed we are as police, given that these unfortunate remarks were made by a leader we not only hold in high esteem, but one we also continue to provide round-the-clock protection with pride and competency," the NPS statement read in part.
NPS went ahead to assure law enforcement officers that their profession is guarded and protected by the law.
"NPS takes this opportunity to reassure all officers, including Kenyans of goodwill to ignore such negative sentiments expressed by the Senator, and which are only aimed at causing disaffection amongst officers of a security sector entity, and thus treat them with the utter contempt that they deserve."
Malala, during a rally at Khwisero, was captured on video calling on the police service to drop the education requirements in the recruitment process, arguing that any physically fit youth should be recruited to join the service.
He opined that police work does not need highly qualified personnel owing to the nature of their job.
"Is police work not just holding a gun? Provided these young people got two arms and legs, let them join the police service. A police job only entails handling firearms, which does not need training. Let those who have passed their examinations go to universities as those who failed and dropped out join the police service," Malala stated during the rally.
The remarks caused an uproar on social media. with Kenyans accusing the gubernatorial hopeful of being disrespectful to the police service. This forced the Senator to withdraw his remarks and apologise to the police and Kenyans in general.
He noted that his sentiments were taken out of context.
"My attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media about my utterances toward the police. I wish to categorically state that my remarks were taken totally out of context," Malala wrote on his Facebook page.
