Rwanda National Police

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana has challenged commanders of contingents set to be deployed for a peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) to stay focused to the mission mandate to bring about peace and security.

 IGP Gasana made the remarks on Wednesday September 23, as he closed a three-day training of 60 police officers that will command the three contingents that are set to be deployed under the UN Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in CAR (MINUSCA).

 Two Formed Police Units (FPUs) and a Protection Support Unit (PSU) composed of 420 are set to be deployed in CAR . One FPU contingent will replace the maiden contingent deployed in September last year.

 “You must understand the mission clearly  in order to execute your tasks  effectively. You must know you are a team, you deliver as one and achieve as a contingent,” IGP Gasana told the officers.

 The PSU contingent of 140 officers, including 12 females, will be the first of its kind that Rwanda National Police will be deploying in a UN mission.

 It will undertake special duties such as close protection for VIPs, escort duties as well as static guard like protection of key installations.

 “You will be working in a multinational environment with different cultures, you must adapt, respect their cultures but uphold the Rwandan values,” said the Police Chief.

 He urged the commanders to lead by example in the mission saying that command roles go beyond to leadership which requires “leadership qualities” in their daily duties.

 Among other issues the IGP pointed out to the officers included force protection, timely communication, and upholding national values.

 One of the trainees, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Reverien Rugwizangoga detailed the training manual and what officers learnt.

 “The pre-deployment skills that we continuously acquire put us in a better position to perform our duties effectively,” CSP Rugwizangoga said.

 The courses officers undertook during the training include UN system and structures, response to sexual exploitation and abuse in mission area, overview of command and management of personnel in stressful environment and working hard and smart.

 Others are UN inspections and policies and efficient management of  contingent owned equipment. 

RNP  currently deploys Formed Police Unit in Haiti, South Sudan, and the Republic of Central Africa.