Rwanda National Police

Members of the District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) in Gatsibo District have been urged to enhance law enforcement and forge a closer partnership with local authorities, the general public and other security organs in a bid to ensure crime prevention.

The call was made on Monday during a meeting that was presided over by the mayor of Gatsibo, Richard Gasana flanked by the National Coordinator of DASSO, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Charles Kayihura and brought together close to 80 DASSO personnel operating in the district.

While addressing the Dasso personnel, the mayor said: “Your job requires you to always be ready for any intervention whenever you are asked to. You should as well be characterized with smartness and accountability in all you do; remember discipline should be the foundation of all you do.”

The mayor further urged them to enhance their partnership with the public and other stakeholders, and strengthen their cooperation with Police in information sharing to facilitate the overall crime prevention.

“You are required to tackle societal challenges with confidence and professionalism. You should not tolerate colleagues who are disrespectful to the public and drunkards because they taint your image,” Mayor Gasana said, urging them to collaborate with Rwanda National Police and other security organs in ensuring security.

During the meeting, ACP Kayihura also reminded the DASSO personnel of their responsibilities of crime prevention, which mainly include providing timely information, as well as apprehending suspects in accordance with their mandate, and taking them to police as means of having a crime-free society.

"Try to know the people in communities you operate in, if there are those who are having family wrangles, always inform authorities before they turn into crimes,” ACP Kayihura told DASSO personnel.

He also gave a detailed lecture on effects of drug abuse and told DASSO to champion the fight against the vice.

"Drug abuse is a security threat that has enormous effects on lives of the consumers and the wellbeing of the communities. To eliminate this vice, we all have to work together,” he said.

He reminded them that their responsibilities in ensuring security and public order as some of their priorities.