NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 1 — The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, on Wednesday launched the second phase of the National Police Service (NPS) e-learning programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening officer training through digital learning as part of ongoing police reforms.The launch was held at the National Criminal Investigations Academy and brought together officers from across the service and development partners who supported the programme’s implementation.The NPS said the digital training platform represents another step toward modernising policing, promoting continuous professional development, and strengthening institutional capacity.The programme is supported by international partners including the European Union through the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD), as well as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which have collaborated with the police service in developing the platform.“The e-learning initiative was first introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person training sessions were disrupted, prompting the police service to adopt digital learning tools to maintain officer training and capacity building,” NPS said.Officials said the revised programme is designed to complement traditional in-person training by offering flexible and accessible learning opportunities through an interactive platform that provides electronic certification upon course completion.During its first phase, the programme introduced seven training modules covering key policing areas, including use of force and firearms, handling sexual and gender-based violence, bail and bond procedures, crowd control and public order management, diversion, handling special interest groups, and the decision to charge.The second phase expands the curriculum with four additional modules: crime investigation, change management, work-related trauma, and online child sexual exploitation and abuse.Speaking during the launch, Kanja said the digital platform reflects the service’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve professionalism, efficiency, and accountability within the police service.He added that the programme would equip officers with updated knowledge and skills needed to respond to increasingly complex crimes, particularly those emerging in the digital space.Kanja also thanked the European Union and UNODC for their continued support, noting that partnerships with development organisations remain key to advancing reforms, strengthening institutional capacity, and improving service delivery across the police service.Line Urban, Programme Manager at the EU Delegation in Kenya representing the EU Ambassador, said digital learning platforms are critical to building a police service that is efficient, professional, and accountable, while delivering high-quality services that meet the needs and expectations of citizens.Urban reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting training initiatives, noting that such investments go beyond individual capacity building to strengthen institutional development and sustainable transformation within the service.She also highlighted the importance of collaboration across the criminal justice sector, saying partnerships among stakeholders are essential for improving efficiency, cohesion, and effectiveness in delivering justice.The UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, Ali Elbereir, commended the National Police Service for embracing technology to enhance learning and professional development.He noted that well-trained officers are better equipped to make informed decisions in the course of their duties, leading to improved service delivery and operational outcomes that ultimately help build public trust.Other officials present at the launch included Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat; Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohammed Amin; NPS Secretary and Administration and Accounting Officer Bernice Lemedeket; Commandant of the General Service Unit Ranson Lolmodooni; Director of Legal Services for NPS Amos Omuga; and Director of Training Ali Hassan Aljir.