Editor's Review

Police officers from Shaviringa Police Post were on patrol when they came under attack by members of the public.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has condemned an incident in Vihiga County where a police officer was attacked by members of the public and sustained serious injuries.

In a statement on Friday, May 23, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan said the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Cheptulu, Tiriki East Sub-County.

“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) strongly condemns the reported incident in which a police officer on duty was attacked and seriously injured this afternoon by members of the public in Cheptulu, Tiriki East Sub-County, Vihiga County,” read the statement in part.

Hassan noted that police officers from Shaviringa Police Post were on patrol along the Muhudu–Shaviringa Road when they encountered suspicious individuals.

The individuals then raised an alarm, prompting an attack on the officers by members of the public, resulting in injuries to one of them.

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File image of IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan.

“According to initial reports, officers from Shaviringa Police Post, while on patrol along the Muhudu–Shaviringa Road, encountered individuals they deemed suspicious. In the course of this engagement, the suspects reportedly raised an alarm, prompting members of the public to launch an attack that resulted in serious injuries to one of the officers,” Hassan stated.

The IPOA chairperson highlighted that an attack on the police undermines the rule of law, promotes lawlessness, and erodes the foundations of public order and security.

Hassan noted that the authority has consistently held officers accountable for misconduct, with past investigations resulting in prosecutions and convictions.

“It is, therefore, deeply regrettable when members of the public resort to the very forms of violence and lawlessness they condemn in police officers. Such conduct defeats the spirit and intent of ongoing police reforms and risks reversing the progress made in enhancing accountability and professionalism in policing,” he stated.

Further, Hassan urged members of the public to exercise restraint and to report any incidents of police misconduct to IPOA or other relevant oversight bodies.