Former police assistant police commissioner Jackson Kosgei among other retired officers have offered to give counselling services to the police force so as to help curb recent mental health cases facing the police force.
Speaking during an event that brought together retired police officers in Kesogon, Nandi county, Kosgei stated that police officers are in dire need of frequent mental assessment and counseling.
''There are a lot of challenges that lead police officers into committing suicide and even killing their families, ''Kosgei said.
The retired officers offered to help talk to the officers any time they were called upon as they urged the current officers in charge to consider this plea in order to help the officers’ welfare.
Kosgei called on the government to use previous tactics that used to be implemented in the police force during his time so as to curb recent suicide cases and mental health issues from the police forces.
He said that during his service tenure, they used to have Wednesday evening talks with the police so as to assess and know officers with any problems and how to help them.
''We used to relieve any police officer observed to be having challenges so as to help them sort out the issues first before resuming duties and we offered counseling and any necessary help to see them back fully fit, ''he said.
According to Kenyatta University research, the major factor contributing to suicide and murder among officers in Kenya is work-related trauma.
The study found that police are generally on the receiving end of all community problems.
They are expected to maintain law and order in very difficult situations, besides putting their lives at risk.
Dozens of police officers have died as a result of suicide or killed many in a trend that is attributed to stress at work.
As part of efforts to address the trend, police authorities launched counselling services and the National Police Service Commission established a unit and staffed it to attend to their demanding situation.
The counselling unit was tasked, among other things, to evaluate, design and lead an outreach program that helps prevent mental health and substance abuse.
At least three suicide cases involving police officers are recorded every month.