The traffic police officers in Kenya lie under the Kenya Police Traffic Department of the Kenya Police Service.
Their main roles include ensuring free flow of traffic, prevention of road accidents, investigation of accidents as well as initiating road safety sensitization to the members of the public.
Just like in any other security department, traffic police officers are recruited first and trained as regular police officers before undergoing further specialized training to become traffic personnel.
Those interested in serving in the traffic department must attend the yearly police recruitment, where qualified candidates are shortlisted and sent to train at any of the Kenya Police Colleges in the country.
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Traffic personnel are usually trained in the management of traffic issues before they are deployed to the department.
Among the requirements the recruits must meet include being aged between 18 and 28 years for holders of KCSE Examination Certificate or its equivalent, and up to 30 years for diploma and degree holders.
After completing the nine-month training, one can apply to join the Kenya Police Traffic Department.
Successful applicants are then re-admitted to the police college for deep skilling to attain the highest possible standards of competence to serve as professional traffic police officers.
Traffic police officer salary
According to sources, the lowest paid traffic police officer in Kenya takes home Sh17,190 per month, while the highest paid earns Sh180,000 per month.
The salary earned per month is defined by various parameters including the rank, police officer job group, and the job grade to which one belongs.