Who is a policeman/ woman?
A policeman or policewoman is a person with training acquired through a police academy.The work of policemen/ women is to maintain security, public safety as well as enforcing laws (maintaining law and order) in the country. In their work activities, policemen/ women patrol the streets in police cars, respond to emergency calls, arrest offenders, and investigate crimes as well as directing traffic flow among other duties.

Other title(s)
Police officer.

What is the work environment?
Police officers work in various environments such as offices and in the field among others.

Some important skills to have
In order to serve members of the public well, police officers should possess some important attributes, skills and qualities such as;

1. Physical stamina to pass required tests for entry into the field as well as keeping up with the daily requirements of the job.
2. Communication skills to communicate effectively with members of the public and colleagues.
3. Interpersonal skills to relate well with other people.
4. Able to remain calm in dangerous or challenging situations.
5. Good judgment to be able to determine the best way to solve wide array of problems quickly.
6. Leadership skills as police officers are highly visible members in the community in regard to provision of support services in emergency situations.
7. Police officers must be strong with sufficient physical strength to physically apprehend offenders.
8. Investigative skills
9. Among others.

What are some career opportunities?
Police officers and who are employees of the National Police Service (NPS) work for the government, performing a variety of duties including neighborhood security patrols, arresting offenders, directing traffic as well as investigating crimes among other duties.

Becoming a policeman/ woman

Minimum admission (recruitment) requirements
The journey to becoming a police officer/ policeman/ woman in Kenya begins with recruitment into NPS as a police constable. A police constableis a junior police officer. To be recruited as a police constable, the following are the minimum admission/ recruitment requirements.

1. Be a citizen of Kenya
2. Hold a Kenya National Identity Card
3. Possess a minimum mean grade of D+ (D Plus) and above in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination or its equivalent from an examination body recognized in Kenya with a D+ (D Plus) and above in either English or Kiswahili language.

Police constable training
After being recruited, recruits (the candidates) undergo a rigorous training at the Kenya Police Training College Kiganjo. The training equips recruits with knowledge and skills in areas such as; local regulations, ethics, civil rights, as well as practical training in various aspects of police work.

Education Advancement
Police officers can advance their education through police science programs offered in other institutions of higher learning in collaboration with the Kenya Police Training College Kiganjo.