Abstract
The Kenyan government has been carrying out public service reforms focusing on streamlining the police service and putting in place interventions to enhance efficiency in the service. A review of the police training curriculum was part of the police reform agenda aimed at professionalizing the Kenya Police Service. That notwithstanding, police performance has been currently wanting as evidenced by rise in crime rates in the country, complaints against police and use of unnecessary force in performance of duties. Organisations have capitalized on training in order to increase their human capital skills and competencies. There are various factors affecting performance of the Kenya Police Service but this study focuses on training. The general objective of the study was to investigate the influence of training on performance of police officers in Kenya Police Service. The specific objectives of this study were: To determine the effects of on-the-job training on the performance of police officers in Imenti South Police Division; To find out the effects of off-the-job training on performance of police officers in Imenti South Police Division and to examine the effects of field training on performance of police officers in Imenti South Police Division. A population of 85 serving police officers and 47197 households were used in the study. A census was conducted on 85 serving police officers in Imenti South Police Division while a sample of 100 households was considered for the study. Two semi-structured questionnaires were used for collection of data. A pilot test was done to pretest the questionnaires to ensure internal consistency of the instruments by computing Cronbach’s alpha to determine reliability of the instrument. Acceptable reliability of Cronbach’s alpha 0.8 and above was taken. Out of the probable 85 police officers, 75 respondents representing 87.2% and 99 households out of probable 100 representing 99% returned the questionnaires. Collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics which were presented using frequency distribution tables. Influence of training on performance of police officers in the Kenya Police Service was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Field training had positive and statistically significant effect on performance of police officers in the Kenya Police Service while on-the-job training and off-the-job training had positive but statistically insignificant effect on performance of police officers in the Kenya Police Service. In addition, the finding of the study revealed that reduction of the crime does not solely depend on police training as it is a joint effort by various stakeholders. The researcher recommends that KPS should come up with policies or criteria that will ensure that field training is integrated to the on-the-job and off-the-job training undertaken by the police officers. In addition various approaches should be considered for on-the-job and off-the-job training. The study suggests that future researchers could focus on adopting a case study research design for major firms in the private sector which would further add value in understanding the relationship between training and performance.
