IPOA: Don’t resist unlawful arrest, call us if mishandled by police

Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairman Dr. Duncan Oburu Ojwang'

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairman Duncan Ojwang’ Oburu has told the public not to resist unlawful arrest and should report any police manhandling to the Authority.

Ojwang’ said if one is detained against their rights and not presented in court within twenty-four hours, they should immediately report to IPOA.

"If you are abused, don't resist arrest, cooperate but tell IPOA that 'I have been handled here unconstitutionally. I think this is an unlawful arrest, I think I have been extorted...," he told Radio Generation on Tuesday.

"An issue with rent and the landlord calls the police, what does it have to do with the police?" Ojwang’ posed.

The IPOA chairperson said every police station should have an IPOA contact to make case reporting efficient.

"The public should know the law has an initiative to make them hold the police accountable," Ojwang’ said.

Ojwang’ said if the public does not trust the police, it affects IPOA's image and its oversight role.

"We are taking the bad policing very seriously because one bad policing undermines even the good police," Ojwang’ said.

IPOA had previously committed to promoting public understanding and good relationships between the police and citizens.

The Authority called on the National Police Service (NPS) to ensure that policing is supported and informed by fit-for-purpose strategies and insights based on evidence and good practice.