Guarding Public Interest Highlights on Baseline Survey on Policing Standards and Gaps in Kenya September 11, 2013

Guarding Public Interest

Highlights on

Baseline Survey on Policing Standards and Gaps in Kenya

September 11, 2013

Structure of Presentation

• Objectives of the Survey• Methodology• Key Findings– Police misconduct– Case-File Reviews– Factors affecting police performance– Community policing – Public confidence in police– Public confidence in IPOA

Objectives of Survey

• General: To assess the perception of Kenyans about policing and the factors affecting effective and efficient policing in Kenya

– Information on the status, nature, extent, quality, effectiveness and challenges of policing in Kenya;

– Evidence of the current performance levels and the factors that hinder effective and efficient policing, with a view towards strategically targeting key result areas that could lead to better policing services in the next five years; and,

– A common basis for measurement of the success of police reforms relative to key effectiveness and efficiency success indicators.

Methodology • The Baseline Survey 2013 was a national

study based on random representative sample of 5,082 households in 36 out of 47 counties

• 515 police officers were interviewed

• Case-File Reviews – Assessment and analysis of 203 closed case-files purposively selected from 4 police stations: Kamukunji, Kilimani, Kariobangi and Huruma

Survey done between January - February 2013 , in partnership with some stakeholders, commissioned to a research firm and supervised by IPOA Guarding Public Interest

URBAN RURAL

39%

61%

POLICE MALPRACTICE


Key findings: Police MisconductOne third (30%) of respondents had experienced police malpractice including: assault/brutality, falsification of evidence, bribery, and threat of imprisonment within 12 months prior to the Survey.

The incidence of police malpractice is higher in rural areas at 61% than in urban areas at 39%.

PEOPLE BELOW 35 yrs

PEOPLE ABOVE 35 yrs

64%

34%

POLICE VIOLATIONS

MEN WOMEN

62%

38%

POLICE MALPRACTICE

• Only 30% of those who experienced

incidences of police malpractice reported the crime

to the relevant authorities. The

majority fear that no action will be taken, or will end

up in more trouble.


Police Misconduct

In terms of gender, 62% of men compared to 38% of women were exposed to police malpractice in the last 12 months.

The incidences of police violations is higher among younger people aged less than 35 years (64%) than those aged above 35 years (34%).


Police misconduct among officersOf the police officers interviewed, 53% admitted to have experienced incidences of police misconduct in the last 12 months before the Survey.

More male police officers (79%) admitted having witnessed police misconduct compared to female police officers interviewed.

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10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Felony cases that were reviewed include: • Robbery with Violence • Preparation to commit felony• Theft by servant

Overall, 64% of the felony cases reviewed did not meet the minimum evidentiary threshold to charge a person with an offense.



• 62% “Robbery with Violence” cases never met the minimum evidentiary threshold for charging according to legal criteria

• 76% of “Preparation to Commit Felony” cases never met the minimum evidentiary threshold for charging

• 61% of “Theft by Servant” cases never met the minimum evidentiary threshold for charging

• The Case File Reviews indicate that a majority (60%) of felony cases reviewed were returned for further investigations

• The request for more information from prosecutors to investigators was found not to be detailed or specific


Case File Reviews


LOW

PAY & IN

CENTIVES

LIMITED RESO

URCES

CORRUPTION

DISCRIM

INATIO

N

LACK O

F ICT IN

FRAST

RUCTURE

INADEQUATE TRAIN

ING

55

24.7

3 4.51.6 1.2

FACTORS AFFECTING POLICE PERFOMANCE

FACTORS AFFECTING POLICE PERFOMANCE

• 61% of the public had confidence in the police to effectively discharge their duties.

• 61% of the public had confidence in the Police to effectively discharge their duties during the 2013 General Elections.

• 61.2 % of respondents indicated that the Police have skills, and 42.3% of the respondents indicated that they have necessary resources.


Public confidence in police


Policing as a career

Community policing• Community policing is fairly known with 56.3% of the public reporting awareness. • More men (62.9%) than women (37.1%) are informed about community policing. • Knowledge levels were lower among respondents aged below 22 years, and higher among

those aged between 24 and 38 years. • However, only 7% of the public respondents reported participation in community policing.


Public confidence in IPOA

The majority of officers (62.5%) have confidence in IPOA and believe that it can deliver its mandate, while 29.3% are somehow confident. 6% are not confident while 2.1% are not sure about IPOA’s ability.


Police confidence in IPOA

Confident Somehow Confident Not Confident Not Sure0

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60

70

Series 1

Broad reccommendations1. Policing in Kenya requires to be professionalized according as envisaged in the Constitution2. Positive public confidence on policing needs to be revived, nurtured and sustained.3. Police officers need professional training and support to be able to effectively and efficiently do their work.4. There is need for comprehensive civic education on policing and rights awareness.5. To succeed IPOA needs support from the national and county governments, and from the police and the public.6. Kenyans have a role to play in ensuring that civilian oversight of the police becomes a reality.



Documents

Guarding Public Interest Highlights on Baseline Survey on Policing Standards and Gaps in Kenya September 11, 2013