An Assessment of Retention Strategies on Performance among National Police Service Officers: A Case of Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Police agencies have not laid emphasis on the significance of human resource; however, the trend is changing with management of human resource practices being considered important. The Police, like any other organization, is competing to retain and acquire the best talented employees. The government of Kenya has carried out several reforms like putting up new housing units, leasing of motor vehicles and merging police units with a view of keeping and retaining the most talented officers. However, officers leave the service for other organizations. The study objectives were to: (i) establish retention strategies used in the National Police Service, (ii) find out how training and development strategies affect performance in the NPS, (iii) examine how compensation impact on performance in the NPS, and (iv) analyze the effect of career advancement strategies on performance in the National Police Service. Fredrick Herzberg’s two factor theory and job embeddedness theory were used to structure the study. The study adapted a mixed methods approach by combining cross-sectional survey design and phenomenology design. Data from a sample of 138 officers was collected through a self-administered questionnaire and a key informant guide. Sampling was through probability and non-probability techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. This study established that career advancement and compensation strategies were the best retention strategies for improving performance of the National Police Service Officers. Another finding was that leadership was key in ensuring service delivery and performance of the NPS. The study recommends implementation of organizational learning in the police service. There is a need on setting up an independent committee in assessing the effectiveness of the current career advancement, leadership plans, compensation strategies and other retention strategies.