Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) took its community policing awareness campaign to students of  GS Congo Nile in Rutsiro District and GS Karinzi in Musanze District as part of the its continued efforts to forge strong partnership to fight and prevent crimes to further reinforce safety and security in the country.

During two separate meetings held at the schools, police officers also tutored students about traffic rules and regulations and their role as community influencers in encouraging others to ensure road safety.

In his address to about 650 students and teachers of GS Karinzi, the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO), Inspector of Police (IP) Viateur Ntiyamira, who was flanked by the school director Bertha Nyirankubana, said that police-public partnership is paying off in cracking down on criminals and enhancing security in communities.

“Since community policing has increased the sense of responsibility for personal safety and solved problems among citizens, you as the elite should take a lead in realizing this,” said IP Ntiyamira

He said police shifted from a predominantly reactive response to service calls, to proactive problem-solving, which requires everyone to be the eyes and ears of neighbors, and to jointly resolve community-wide problems.

In Rutsiro, the DCLO Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Jean Bosco Mugenzi along with the Officer In charge Traffic in the District AIP Celestin Nkaka, met with 1060 students of GS Congo Nile and their teachers, and tutored them on how best to use the road, the meaning of traffic signs.

“Whereas drivers play a bigger part in promoting road safety by abiding by traffic rules and regulations, pedestrians, precisely you students also have a duty to play by using Zebra Crossings to cross the road, and stop playing in middle of the road,” AIP Nkaka said.

He further pointed out that over speeding, drunkenness, reckless driving, mechanical faults and using the phone while driving are some of the causes of accidents, which requires them to be careful while using the road.

Paul Maniraguha, the director of GS Congo Nile, commended Rwanda National Police for extending road safety tips to their students.

Also students were tutored about their role in fighting and reporting cases of Gender Based Violence, Human trafficking, drug abuse and school drop outs among other issues.

Students of GS Congo Nile also established an anti-drug club.