Relief for sick and injured police officers as the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) said they will be posted close to their homes so that they can easily seek medical attention.

NPSC vice chair Alice Otwala confirmed injured police officers will also benefit from medical cover insurance.

Otwala noted that the commission had already deployed 59 counsellors and social workers to support the officers.

“The sick and injured officers will be transferred to areas where they can access hospital and family support,” she said.

She added that already 800 officers had come for assessment in Rift Valley, Central, North Eastern, Nyanza, Nairobi and Coast regions.

Those from Eastern and Western regions will be assessed soon.

The medical assessment program started in June.

NPSC estimates that one per cent of the 105, 000 police officers are sick or injured.

Otwala said there is a need for police officers to be compensated regarding their duties, putting their lives in danger.

“As Kenyans sleep safely and their property protected, the officers are exposed to danger. These officers need to be compensated,” Otwala said.

Otwala made the statement at the Kenya School of Government during the NPSC special medical assessment board.