Rwanda National Police

Police in Kirehe District has reminded members of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) to use public awareness in sensitizing people in their communities against drugs like cannabis and illicit brew.

The call was made on April 19 during a CPCs Training that drew over 120 members from Nyamabuye Sector.

While officiating the training, the district vice mayor in charge of social affairs, Gerardine Mukandarikaguye commended CPCs for their continued contribution to public safety but pointed out that there are still problems like drug trafficking that need to be addressed.

“Security is a pillar of everything we do; without it, we can’t achieve anything and this is why we must be on the lookout about everything and anyone who comes in our neighborhoods, said Mukandarikaguye.

The Kirehe District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO), Inspector of Police (IP) Gahigi Harerimana, noted that CPCs have been key in improving Rwanda’s security by sharing accurate information to detect crime.

“Crime is a social phenomenon that can only be effectively dealt with if the community understands and is actively involved in policing activities… The public should be involved to ensure sustainable security and for that to happen, we all have to jointly sensitize them,” he said.

He also challenged them to lead by example and be catalysts of change in insuring safety and security of people.

With regards to common crimes reported in Kirehe, the DCLO told members of Community Policing Committees that to tighten night patrols as means to fight trafficking of drugs that come mainly from the neighboring countries and transported at night.

 “The involvement of the community in crime detection, prevention and response alongside the Police has lead to increased crime reporting to relevant organs” said IP Harerimana.

He urged them to map-out areas prone to drugs, users and report them to organs concerned. He also appealed to participants to identify families that have internal wrangles and share information so that security organs can intervene before the conflicts turn violent.

A village chief, the person in charge of security and three other people elected by the village advisory committee constitute a Community Policing Committee at the Village level.