Unbeknownst to many, it is not only possible to hire police officers as personal bodyguards, but also highly encouraged.
The Ministry of Interior, through the National Police Service Act (NO 11A of 2011), encourages Kenyans to hire police officers as bodyguards when they feel their lives are in danger.
Individuals or organisations also hire police officers to control traffic or crowd during an event.
Kenyans who hire police officers for private use are charged hourly, and the rates are calculated depending on; the number of police officers requested, the seniority of officers and whether the officers are armed.
How to Hire Police Officers for Personal Use
The Act identifies three scenarios where police officers may be deployed for private use.
“Police officers can be deployed for private use in the following instances; for the safety of the private property of any person, in the interests of any person, or where there is a reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace in connection with any such private property,” the Act states.
Application for police bodyguards must be made in written form to Officer Commanding Police Station (OCS) detailing why you need such protection.
A Divisional Police Commander shall then determine whether there are enough officers in the locality before your request is granted or denied.
“The Divisional Police Commander may refuse to grant the request if the number requested is higher,” the law states.
For transparency and accountability, moneyfor the private use of the police shall be paid to the Treasury.
The minimum time a private citizen can hire police officers is four hours.
Depending on the nature of the job, the National Police Service can provide; armed officers, unarmed officers, and armed or unarmed motorcycle riders.
Private citizens can also request the services of; a police sniffer dog, horse, or an armoured car.
