Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has challenged new General Service Unit (GSU) recruits to uphold discipline, professionalism and respect for human dignity as they begin their careers in the National Police Service.
Lagat said the recruits had undergone rigorous training that had equipped them with the skills, discipline and resilience required to serve and protect Kenyans in difficult and demanding situations.
The DIG spoke at the National Police College Embakasi “B” Campus where he presided over a full dress rehearsal ahead of the recruits’ passing-out parade.
He said the intensive GSU training was deliberately designed to test the recruits’ endurance, discipline and determination while preparing them for the responsibility of safeguarding the country.
“GSU training is not designed to be easy; it is meant to push your limits, take you out of your comfort zones and build the character required of an officer entrusted with the security of this country,” Lagat said.
He urged the recruits to remain professional and disciplined at all times, including when operating without direct supervision.
“You will face difficult people, difficult situations and moments when nobody is watching. That is when your discipline will matter most, and those situations will reveal your character,” he said.
Lagat challenged the officers to strike a balance between firmness in dealing with security threats and compassion in their interactions with members of the public.
“Be courageous, but remain professional. Be firm, but humane,” he said.
The DIG also reminded the recruits that police authority comes with a responsibility to respect the rights and dignity of those they are sworn to protect.
He urged them to exercise sound judgment when making decisions, particularly when confronted with tense or unpredictable situations.
“You have learnt what it means to serve when the pressure is high, when the situation is difficult and when walking away would be the easier choice,” Lagat said.
“Now go and take on the most important responsibility ahead: serving the people of Kenya.”
The DIG said effective policing should not only be measured by an officer’s ability to confront danger but also by how well they protect members of the public and uphold their rights.
“The strength of service is not only in how well you confront danger. It is also in how we protect the people we have sworn to serve,” he said.
Lagat’s remarks come as the National Police Service continues to emphasise professionalism, discipline and public confidence in policing.
The new recruits are expected to join the GSU, a specialised formation of the Kenya Police Service tasked with handling high-risk security operations, maintaining public order and supporting other police units when required.
President William Ruto is scheduled to preside over the GSU passing-out parade on September 18, marking the formal completion of the recruits’ training and their entry into active service.
The recruits will thereafter be deployed to different parts of the country as the service seeks to strengthen its operational capacity and security response.
