How Recce officers are tainting elite squad’s image
The General Service Unit’s Recce Squad has been rocked by cases of indiscipline and extortion.
In the past eight months, at least five officers have been arrested for alleged criminal offences and a dozen others subjected to internal disciplinary action.
Sources say there could be more cases that go unreported, especially at the squad’s Ruiru camp.
However, National Police Service spokesperson George Kinoti on Monday said those were isolated cases that had been dealt with administratively or in court.
The latest incident was on Thursday last week, when two officers from the unit were arrested after they allegedly demanded a Sh300,000 bribe from a Mathare resident.
Constables Victor Mugambi Njoroge and Michael Epeyonon together with two other men had demanded the bribe from Mr David Otieno Ochieng over an alleged illegal connection of electricity. On Friday, they were charged at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
And on March 25, detectives arrested Constable Moses Njue Ngare along at the Ralph Bunche-Valley Road junction, following reports that some officers were extorting money from motorists there.
Police had received reports that some officers from Ruiru were always at the junction waiting for motorists who commit traffic offences.
They would then arrest and release the offenders after receiving bribes.
Constable Ngare, who was dressed in a suit, was found with the service’s ID card and a police radio. He claimed he was on official duty.
Further, some of the officers have been subjected to disciplinary action for being drunk while on duty and causing disturbance, among others.
However, most of the unit’s officers are known for professionalism and discipline. The unit has the best trained officers.