Gov't to use AI in police recruitment, digitize occurrence books

In a country where the police occurrence book has traditionally been a thick, handwritten ledger prone to wear and tear, a digital revolution is finally knocking at police station desks.

Speaking at the finals of the AI hackathon hosted by the National Intelligence Research Unit (NIRU), Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen signaled the end of the manual era. The government is not just looking at new boots on the ground, but new bits in the system.

"We must strengthen the interface between security and AI. The skills required now are for a global stage. Police recruitment must now include AI; we need to infuse professionals who can help the service combat modern threats," said CS Murkomen.

The centerpiece of this transformation is the digital occurrence book and a decentralized reporting system that will make the trip to the police station optional.

"In the next three months, all of us will be able to reach our police stations from the comfort of our homes, hotels, and anywhere we will be. Digitization is the key," said Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

This shift aims to streamline the reporting process, allowing Kenyans to file reports directly from a crime scene or their homes.

The digital overhaul will go beyond police paperwork, it is about presence. Procurement is currently underway for a massive rollout of digital gadgets and CCTV surveillance across major cities.

While IG Kanja emphasized using these cameras to curb human error on the roads and manage traffic fines, CS Murkomen highlighted a more sensitive benefit, accountability.

The new gadgets and station cameras are specifically intended to provide a digital footprint of every interaction, acting as a deterrent against police brutality.

However, with great data comes great responsibility. National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Hajj noted that while AI integration is non-negotiable for national security, it will not be a wild west scenario.

"We must effectively integrate AI into national security, but regulating the environment will be critical," said Hajj.

As the NIRU hackathon winners walked away with prizes for their local solutions, the message from the top brass was clear, the next generation of Kenyan policing will be built on code.