A female police officer was on the receiving end of a brutal assault at the hands of her colleague at Gongoni Police Station in Kilifi County on Monday.

According to a police report, the female cop reported for duty at the station at 8:00 pm and sought to collect a case file to continue with her assignment.

Minutes later, her colleague who was manning the case cabinet declined to hand her the file and began assaulting her with slaps and blows.

The report indicated that the female officer fell and began wailing for help. Alarmed by the distress sounds, colleagues rushed to the station and found the female cop on the floor while the suspect was in an angered state.

The suspect was restrained by his colleagues and placed in handcuffs while the female officer was taken to KijanaHeri Hospital in Kilifi for medication.  

She complained of sustaining injuries on her face, particularly her lower jaw.

Meanwhile, the Station Police Commander visited the scene and documented the turn of events. Investigations were launched to determine the motive for the assault and establish how the events transpired.

This case highlights an escalating trend of assault cases involving police officers. In their line of work, they often deal with a negative perception from society as they try to maintain law and order.

At times, they are exposed to mental trauma, leading to deterioration in mental wellness and thus affecting service delivery.

To address this, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) established a counselling unit to provide outreach programmes among the officers.

These programmes aim to help law enforcers navigate through burnout, frustrations, negativity from the public and also suicidal behaviour.