Gov't Bars Police Officers from Doing Business, Receiving Gifts in New Tough Rules

Police officers have been prohibited from doing any business outside their jobs in new tough rules announced by the National Police Service Commission (NPS).

Officers wishing to engage in any business outside their work must first seek clearance from the NPS, reports The Star. Cops will further have to comply with stringent conditions if their application for conducting business is approved, failure to which they will be dismissed.

Those already running businesses have been ordered to declare them or face tough disciplinary actions if they are found.

“Applicants should be aware that this may involve the commission undertaking intelligence checks on both the applicant and the proposed business interests and associates,” reads the new policy.

The new rules comes after the NPS established that most police officers were engaging in multi-million shilling businesses even when they earn relatively low salaries during vetting process.

“Failure to record a personal interest that arises during the course of a member’s duty shall attract disciplinary proceedings upon revelation,” the rule warns.

The new guidelines are contained in six policies that the NPS - the employer of police - has introduced as part of police reforms. 

"A member of the service shall not hold shares or have any interest in a corporation, partnership or other body, directly or through another person, if holding those shares or having that interest would result in the officers' personal interest, including the interest of a spouse, relative or business associate, conflicting with his official duties," reads the policy. 

National Police Service boss Johnston Kavuludi said the policies would guide the operations of the Police Service.  

“The commission has been guided by the law and I am happy to reveal that we have been able to complete and operationalise the regulations on vetting, discipline, promotion and transfers, recruitment and appointments and several other critical areas,” Kavuludi said.

The officers are further not required to received gifts in the course of their duties and any gifts given must be surrendered to the Inspector General.

“A member of the service who receives a gift or donation shall declare the gift or donation to the Inspector General within 14 days of receipt of the gift,” according to the rules.

“A member of the service shall not cause anything to be done for the member or in the interest of the member through another person that would constitute a contravention of this policy,” it reads.