Rwanda National Police

Community Policing Committees (CPCs) have been encouraged to strengthen their roles in crime identification in order to be on a preventive side rather than dealing with the consequences, and strengthen partnership with Rwanda National Police (RNP) to overcome lawlessness.

The message was delivered on June 24 in a meeting where police met over 100 CPCs and local leaders of Muhanga District, in Mushishiro Sector.

The District Police Commander of Muhanga, Senior Superintendent Francis Muheto, told the CPCs that their work is essential in promoting community Policing, which has proved to be vital in meeting today’s crime fighting goals and keeping Rwandan communities safe.

“You have the responsibility to promote the involvement of the local population, the private sector, and neighborhoods to respond to crime activities such as drug abuse and gender-based violence – in order to improve the quality of life in communities,” SSP Muheto said.

“Always work with integrity and perform your responsibilities aimed at reinforcing laws and present timely reports to police in order to sustain safety, security and development.”

Senior Superintendent Muheto also urged the CPCs to initiate Community-based crime prevention programs for the youth and constantly engage community groups about their role in crime prevention.

The Executive Secretary of Mushishiro, Beatrice Uwamariya, noted that partnership between RNP and the public had led to sustainable security throughout the country, adding that crime preventors need to double their effort in order to stop activities of criminals who seek to destabilize peace.

“Through community policing, CPCs can play their role and emphasis on stopping crime before it happens, this is a good platform that has given each and every citizen more control over the quality of life in their community. Therefore, let us uphold this partnership and overcome criminals collectively.”

In a bid to further fight and prevent crimes, RNP regularly conducts awareness campaign for CPCs throughout the country.

They operate at the Cell and Village levels and were put in place under the Ministerial decree No.02/07 of October 2007.

RNP has trained about 140, 000 members of CPCs have been trained in various policing fields across the country.