The first edition of the INTERPOL Policing Capabilities Programme and Instructor Development Course (No. 1/2025) was officially closed today at the Boma Hotel in Nairobi, marking a significant step forward in Kenya’s efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) within its law enforcement structures.
The two-week specialised Training of Trainers (ToT) programme was launched through a collaborative initiative between the National Police Service (NPS) and INTERPOL’s Project Soteria—a global initiative aimed at tackling abuse of power and enhancing the protection of vulnerable populations. Project Soteria derives its name from the Greek goddess of safety and restoration, reflecting its mission to address sexual abuse committed by individuals in positions of trust.
Participants in the course included officers from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The programme focused on enhancing policing capabilities by integrating INTERPOL’s advanced investigative tools, alert systems, and training methodologies into Kenya’s national policing curriculum.
The first week of the course trained officers in utilising INTERPOL’s criminal databases and alert systems to identify, track, and respond to sexual offences. The second week shifted focus to instructor development, equipping participants with skills to train fellow officers and embed this knowledge across police colleges nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja, the Director of the Directorate of Training and Research (KPS), Mr. David Birech (Senior Assistant Inspector General), underscored the critical value of the course.
“This programme empowers our officers with technical expertise needed to not only combat sexual offences but to institutionalise these skills in our police training programmes,” Birech said. “We remain committed to our partnership with INTERPOL in bridging policing gaps and ensuring justice for victims, especially when perpetrators misuse authority.”
The successful completion of this course sets a precedent for future trainings under the INTERPOL-NPS partnership, strengthening Kenya’s resolve to tackle sexual exploitation with professionalism, technology, and a victim-centred approach.
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