Higher learning equips police officers with critical-thinking skills, emotional intelligence, ethical decision-making, and specialised knowledge that are essential for modern policing.
In addition to physical preparedness, police officers must possess mental acuity and emotional fortitude.
One such exemplary officer is Dr Eunice Namonywe Emusugut, a Chief Inspector of Police and a trailblazer whose academic journey and service record continue to inspire.
Since joining the National Police Service in 2003, Dr. Eunice has made a name for herself as a renowned counselling psychologist with more than ten years of expertise caring for the service’s complicated psychosocial issues.
Currently serving at Police Headquarters under the Directorate of Chaplaincy, Counselling and Psychosocial Support, Dr Eunice brings a wealth of knowledge and empathy to her role.
Her past assignments include key roles at the Directorate of Personnel’s AIDS Control Unit, Karen Police Station, and the former North Eastern Province’s Crime Office.
These roles gave her firsthand experience of the psychosocial challenges faced by officers and the communities they serve—experiences that would later shape her academic pursuits and professional focus.
Dr Eunice holds a Bachelor of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Africa International University, a Master’s in the same field from Daystar University, and an Advanced Diploma in Mental Health Practice from Amref International University.
She graduated from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa with a doctorate (PhD) in counselling psychology.
In addition to her work with the police, she mentors aspiring mental health professionals as a part-time lecturer.
Dr Eunice’s contributions extend beyond counselling practice. She was a member of the sub-committee that formulated the Counselling and Chaplaincy Policy for the National Police Service and contributed to developing a trauma counselling training manual for police officers.
Her story is not just one of personal success—it is a blueprint for integrating academic knowledge into policing to improve service delivery, mental wellness, and institutional growth.
Officers like Dr Eunice exemplify how academic empowerment within the NPS enhances professionalism, nurtures resilience, and fosters a culture of ethical and compassionate policing.
As the NPS continues to evolve, higher education remains central to transforming officers into multidimensional professionals, better equipped to serve, protect, and engage with their communities.
Dr Eunice is living proof that the pursuit of knowledge is not just beneficial but essential in building a better police service.
In today’s evolving security landscape, the role of education in enhancing the effectiveness and professionalism of law enforcement cannot be overstated.
