The National Police Service (NPS) has launched a permanent curriculum for specialised training of police officers in the use of the INTERPOL database, used by authorities worldwide to track criminals. Announced on March 5, the INTERPOL Policing Capabilities Foundation Course Module will train officers on global policing databases, secure communication channels, and investigative tools to help identify suspects faster and coordinate cross-border investigations with international partners.
The launch of the INTERPOL Policing Capabilities Foundation Course Module occurred with technical and financial support from INTERPOL's Project Soteria, funded by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It aims to equip Kenyan police officers with practical skills to access INTERPOL systems, analyse global criminal data, and respond to transnational crimes, including sexual and gender-based violence.
Inspector General Douglas Kanja emphasised that "we live in an era where crime has no respect for borders or territorial boundaries. Criminals exploit the gaps between law enforcement agencies, the gaps between national crime databases, and the gaps in our knowledge of how to use international policing tools."
He added that the training module helps close those gaps by providing officers with practical knowledge of INTERPOL's policing capabilities. Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Mohamed Amin, who was present at the launch, reaffirmed that by institutionalising the course within Kenya's policing training framework, authorities hope to build long-term investigative capacity, strengthen trust with international partners, and position the country as a regional leader in tackling cross-border crime.
"This curriculum launch reflects Kenya’s long-term vision for modern policing as crime evolves and crosses borders, we must ensure officers are prepared to collaborate regionally and internationally confidently," said DCI Director Mohamed Amin.
Participants will learn through real-world case studies, group discussions, practical simulations, and exercises designed to help officers confidently apply INTERPOL resources during daily policing duties and complex transnational investigations across multiple jurisdictions.
INTERPOL director David Caunter said during the launch, "The course builds on the strong commitment and capability of Kenya’s law enforcement officers in addressing cross-border crime and strengthening international cooperation against organised criminal networks."
INTERPOL serves as a global hub enabling police cooperation across 195 member countries, allowing authorities to share criminal intelligence, track fugitives, and coordinate investigations stretching beyond national borders and jurisdictions. Through its systems, the organisation issues Red Notices to locate wanted fugitives, provides secure communication channels for investigators, and supports national police with forensic analysis, operational data sharing, and specialised tools targeting global crime.
Its key focus areas include cybercrime, organised crime, counter-terrorism, and environmental crime, with investigators collaborating globally to tackle fraud, phishing, human trafficking, drug smuggling, wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, pollution, and other complex criminal networks.
