Applicants for CID boss job say forensic lab a priority

By CYRUS OMBATI

Candidates seeking to be Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) yesterday termed as outdated, the training model used for detectives at the department and asked for its urgent review.

The candidates said the model concentrates on physical evidence leaving out the forensic and electronic ones, which are now crucial.

Head of senior police training college in Loresho Patrick Obimo told the National Police Service Commission that CID is performing poorly because of its model of training among other things.

“I will recommend a full review of the training curriculum that we currently use that in my view is old and outdated,” said Obimo.

He also recommended an audit of the detectives’ skills .Obimo said most information technology related crimes are usually referred to CID headquarters for analysis and investigations because most divisional officers are unable to handle them.

Another candidate said cyber crime is the contemporary and most common crime in the society.

Tom Omani, the head of personnel at CID headquarters recommended that all officers be trained on cyber crime, forensic and technology as a way of catching up with the global crimes at large.

“Physical evidence is no longer important to investigations and we must change the way we handle our operations in future because we need skilled manpower that can handle information technology,” said Omani.

He said there is need for review of ways of recruiting personnel into the unit and the work plan at large.

Omani said there is need to merge Flying Squad and Special Crimes Prevention Unit crack squads for better delivery.

Deputy director of reforms King’ori Mwangi said lack of a  forensic laboratory for the CID has been a major hindrance for service delivery.

Interviews for the position close today with former anti-terror unit head Mathew Kabetu, Deputy Commissioner of Police Francis Okonya and CID director Ndegwa Muhoro appearing.