English
Kinyarwanda
In line with his continuous visits and support to specialized and territorial police units, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana briefed the Traffic and Road Safety Department on the need to enhance professionalism in order to effectively advance safety and security.
IGP Gasana address traffic officers operating in the central region as well as Regional Police traffic units, at Rwanda National Police Headquarters in Kacyiru on July 05.
“I commend you for the work you do and the sacrifice you make which are very vital for the security and safety of Rwanda. You should work even harder and smarter by being vigilant and professional at all times,” he said.
“You should be exemplary to the public and fully understand your mission, which requires you to employ your skills and knowledge in order to ensure the security and safety prevails in Rwanda.”
He emphasized and outlined integrity, modernization and discipline as key ingredients that the officers need to overcome emerging security challenges and sophisticated crimes committed through the exploitation of technology.
“Officers need to upgrade their knowledge and skills all times to be ahead of any emerging challenge. On top of working hard, you should also work smart by being setting examples and upholding human rights,” he said.
“You should have a positive attitude and confidence to confront the emerging security challenges of today. Being updated and supportive to good governance policies will provide a basis for you to work efficiently with the public you serve”
IGP Gasana also reminded the officers to uphold high levels of discipline in order to earn public trust, which is essential in advancing community policing.
As the IGP emphasized on professionalism, recent reports indicates that traffic accidents reduced by 50% in the last quarter of 2014.
Police has since been holding road safety sensitization to ensure safety of, driver, pedestrians and motorists.
Gasana had last met with over 400 officers attached to the department of Traffic and Road Safety in September last year where he urged them to be result-focused and provide quality services to improve road safety.
He commended them for improved services which contributed to ranking the RNP as the best in Africa trusted by the citizens 2014.
The latest World Economic Forum ranked Rwanda the best in Africa and 21 globally where citizens trust and rely on Police services with 5.8 out of 7 on the Global Competitive Index.
In the domain of security, Rwanda remains the most secure country in Africa with 6.0 and 10th on the globe, followed by Mauritius with 5.5, (30th) and The Gambia with 5.3 (38th).
The report also ranked Rwanda first in Africa with the least incidences of crime and violence that impose costs on businesses.
In line with ensuring road safety, in March this year, Police announced that 81 people had been arrested in connection with using and producing forged driver’s licence over the past six months.
Emmanuel Kabanda, the Police Traffic and Road Safety department spokesperson, said the suspects were arrested from various parts of the country in an operation conducted following a tip-off from the “customers.”
A month later, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, George Rumanzi announced that the Traffic Police is looking into ways to further make driving tests as comprehensive and more professional as possible to minimise and prevent road accidents
Traffic Police department is looking into ways to liaise with the private sector, particularly driving schools, to tailor-make training of aspiring motorists.
