The Influence of Capital Resources on Performance of Police Officers in Starehe Division, Nairobi County - Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of capital resources of performance of police officers in Starehe Division, Nairobi County in Kenya. Capital resources are all assets available to the police officers to help and aid them in delivery of their duties. These are resources used communication, protective and transport facilities because they are a kind of assurance for police officers life and they also lead to achievement of their goals and objectives as they carry out their duties. The specific objectives were to evaluate the influence of communication gadgets on performance of police officers in Starehe Division, to establish the influence of protective equipment on performance of Police Officers in Starehe Division and explore how transport facilities have influenced performance of police officers in Starehe Division. The study covered all the police stations under Starehe Division which are Pangani, Muthaiga, Huruma, Kariobangi and Ruaraka. From the stations the target respondents were the OCSs or their deputies and the police officers under their command. The data was collected through the use of questionnaires and interview schedules and analyzed using SPSS. This was then presented in form of tables and interpreted according to the study objectives. The study found that the capital resources provided to the officers have been very instrumental in delivery of their services and therefore improved on performance. For instance the communication gadgets provided helps the officers to track security situations in their jurisdictions without having to be present at the scene. They are given protective gears for all weather and therefore their duties never get interrupted. At the same time the health of the officers is well taken care of and gives them peace of mind when on duty or assignments. The transport facilities are used for patrolling the areas under their jurisdictions at all the time, tracking criminals and criminal activities, responding to incidences of crime in time and carrying out 24 hour surveillance. The study then recommended that, the government should invest more resources on the welfare of the police officers in order to reduce on the challenges that occur during assignments and come up with effective strategies for a better of working environment. The donors, non – profit making organizations, partners and other stake holders should come up with a body that deals with the welfare of police officers to boost the government‘s effort and improve on performance of the officers in general and security in the country