Perceptions and Causes of Suicide Among Members of the National Police Service in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This study was mooted in the context of the problem of suicide among law enforcement officials which is rampant across the world and, the lack of a comprehensive study of the phenomenon in Kenya. Subsequently, the study assessed the patterns of suicide among serving law enforcement agents using the case of Kenya’s national law enforcement institutions. Specifically, it focused on the examination of the personal, cultural and socio-economic profiles of serving law enforcement agents in Kenya that predisposes them to suicide and suicidal thoughts. The study’s unit of analysis was patterns of suicide by serving police officers while its units of observation were officers at the Nairobi Police Command. During the study, quantitative data was gathered via standard questionnaires while key informant interviews were used to collect qualitative data. Data analysis was done using Statistical package for the social sciences. The study’s findings were that the exposure to suicide risk factors such as occupational factors surrounding law enforcement especially workplace stress, frustration and helplessness, poor working environment, traumatic incidences, poor pay and access to firearms predisposed law enforcement agents to suicide ideation and suicide. The study recommended an overhaul of the workplace environment in order to ensure that there is a friendly working environment. More so, counseling services should be devolved to the police station as the basic level in order to bring mental health closer to the police officers on the ground. These officers have a higher likelihood of being exposed to traumatic situations. Further, there is a need to implement the housing reforms in order to give police officers the freedom of living with public. This will not only help them cool off but also ensure they have support systems in the society. With regard to promotion and rewards, respondents complained of promotion and rewards not being based on merit, experience or education level. The national police service needs to put in place a meritorious policy on promotion and reward in order to avert stress and depression within police ranks.