Africa-Press – Kenya. The government has formally gazetted a new command structure and operational framework for the National Government Administration Police Unit (NGAPU), a specialised formation within the National Police Service (NPS).
According to the gazette notice issued by Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja, NGAPU is established to support National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) in the execution of their lawful duties and to provide security across administrative units countrywide.
Under its mandate, the Unit will render operational support to national government administrative officers, provide protective security to government officials, and support government agencies in enforcing national policies, laws and regulations. NGAPU officers will also provide security during lawful operations led by administrative officers, public functions, and community gatherings, working in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Unit has also been authorised to apprehend offenders and preserve exhibits as first responders where applicable, support conflict management and peacebuilding initiatives, and collaborate with other law enforcement agencies during coordinated operations.
Additionally, the Unit will enforce any other lawful orders as directed by the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service.
Command-wise, the Commandant of NGAPU will report directly to the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service and will be responsible for advising on and coordinating all matters requiring police assistance to administrative officers and government agencies.
The Unit will be organised in line with the command structure issued by the Inspector-General of Police. At the regional level, Regional Unit Officers will report to respective Regional Administration Police Service Commanders and oversee the efficiency of Unit operations. Similar reporting and supervisory structures have been established at the county, sub-county, and ward or division levels.
At the grassroots, Ward or Division Unit Officers will be required to respond without undue delay to requests by national government administrative officers seeking assistance in coordinating national functions or lawful activities.
The gazette further clarifies that the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Station remains responsible for all police operations within a ward or division, including crime prevention and investigations.
In NGAPU operations, all activities must be recorded in the Occurrence Book, with any recovered exhibits handed over to the Officer-in-Charge of the Police Station without delay.
Discipline, uniforms, equipment, record-keeping, and reporting within NGAPU will be governed by existing National Police Service Standing Orders.
Unit officers will also be entitled to applicable allowances as determined by the National Police Service Commission.
The Commandant has been tasked with developing and submitting standard operating procedures for the Unit to the Inspector-General for approval before implementation.
The new framework is expected to streamline coordination between administrative officers and police, enhance accountability, and improve security operations at the local level.
