Rwanda National Police

The Minister of Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, told members of District Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) to always maintain a high level of discipline and ensure provision of high quality security services to the public as expected of them.

Kaboneka made the remarks while addressing over one hundred DASSO personnel and officials in charge of good governance at provincial and district level during a meeting in Kigali held on Tuesday August 11.

“You cannot earn the trust of citizens if you are indiscipline, violent or corrupt. You are required to be disciplined at all times and tackle societal challenges with confidence and professionalism,” Kaboneka told the DASSOs.

“You should not tolerate colleagues who are disrespectful to the public, or tolerates indiscipline such as drunkenness because they taint an ugly image to the institution,” he said.

He reminded them to cooperate with Police at all times and share information in order to play their role in overcoming crime.

“Collaborate with Rwanda National Police and other law enforcing organs and also ensure that you are also collaborating with the public in a friendly manner,” he added.

 The meeting that was also graced by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, alongside several senior police officers, aimed at discussing how to foster discipline and professionalism, as well as tackle challenges faced by DASSO members in their daily operations.

In his remarks, IGP Gasana commended DASSOs for their efforts, through which they have seized many illicit drugs, apprehended criminals and handed them over to Police stations, as well as gathered and shared criminality information with Police officers.

He however reminded them to uphold virtues of discipline as the foundation of their success.

"It takes 25 years to build a reputation but only five minutes to destroy it," IGP Gasana cited, adding that: “Therefore, concentrate on building your reputation through efficiency and discipline – and let us continue to work together to deliver safety and development for everyone in Rwanda.”

DASSO is under the direct supervision of the ministry of local government but also operates closely and in partnership with the police.

There are currently over 2100 DASSO members operating countrywide with a mandate to support district authorities to enforce security and collaborate with law enforcers to ensure public order.