Rwanda National Police

A batch of 40 Police officers from Rwanda National Police (RNP) and South Sudan National Police Services (SSNPS) completed the second intake of the basic Airport Security course at the RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru, on Friday.

The three-week course follows another of 27 Police officers conducted in December last year.

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Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti, Commissioner of Training and Development in RNP, while closing the training, thanked participants for the discipline and determination throughout the course.

He said that the aviation security has become an important means of transport and a catalyst to economic development, creates a source of income and promotes trade and tourism.

“The nature of security and policing architecture has faced a paradigm shift, introduced new dimensions to law enforcement than ever before. Transnational and organized crimes such as drug trafficking and terrorism have emerged as global challenges that require not only the procurement of sophisticated IT tools but also a skilled human capacity to command their application," CP Niyonshuti said.

He added: "The fact that modern criminality has networks that transcend national jurisdictions, the only alternative law enforcement agencies have is collaboration, well trained and equipped Police officers to effectively confront these crimes."

The current threats, he observed, demands that  aviation security remain among the highest priorities for countries and that the aviation security course was organized to enhance the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to these threats.

“Security agencies deployed at the airport play an important role and they are a major component of the aviation security system.”

CP Niyonshuti appreciated the excellent cooperation between the two Police forces adding that "knowledge and skills without discipline is nothing."

Maj. Agnes Peter Orat, one of the trainees from South Sudan National Police Service, said that the course was successful and an important factor for the security of airports back home.

“This was our second home; this course has enriched our understanding and skills in relation to airport security. We will show our gratitude by putting into practice what we have learnt here,” said Maj. Orat.

The aviation security course covered civil aviation skills, overview of international civil aviation security, access control of people and vehicles, recognition of explosives and other restricted articles; search procedures; patrol and guarding airport, screening and searching passengers and luggage,  and protection of aircraft, among others.