Rwanda National Police

The Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana yesterday hailed the media for playing a crucial part in crime prevention and took stock of the media-police partnership saying that the two entities play a crucial role in sensitizing Rwandans and building a secure nation.

Minister Harerimana made the remarks as he concluded a one day police-media conference that brought together  heads and representatives of local media houses, and journalists in an interactive session with the Rwanda National Police leadership, held at the force’s Headquarters in Kacyiru.

During the conference, Commissioners presented crime status in the country in the last three months, traffic and road safety situation, and strategies to counter them.

“The media has extemporarily covered well police activities both locally and internationally and we highly appreciate that. You have effectively collaborated in bringing wanted criminals to justice but I encourage you to follow up these cases to prosecution and in court,” the Minister told journalists.

He also hinted on the recent Rwanda Governance Board governance scorecard that revealed that 97.4 per cent of Rwanda has complete trust in the Police saying that for the public to trust the police is because the media has reported objectively about its operations and activities.

“I also commend the police for its continued efforts in ensuring professionalism. The services you provide to the public are what define you, you should keep it up,” he added.

In emphasizing the need for journalists to uphold values as they practice their profession, he said urged them to stick to facts in their reporting.

Crimes registered between September and November dropped by 7.56 per cent compared to previous three months while high impact crimes like drug abuse, assault, embezzlement, corruption and human trafficking, also reduced by 5.4 percent.

Drug abuse is common in City of Kigali while the Eastern Province was identified the major route of drugs coming into the country from neighboring countries.

During the same period, road traffic accidents went down despite the increase in fatalities, which was attributed to five deadly accidents that involved commuter taxis and transit trucks.

According to statistics, 283 accidents were recorded in the last three months which claimed 137 lives and injured 183 others.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, spoke at length about the police’s strategies and initiatives in crime prevention particularly efforts in fighting Gender Based Violence (GBV).

“We have a gender desk in every district across the country and in partnership with the ministries of Health, Gender and Family Promotion; we have scaled up Isange One Stop Center to 17 district hospitals. We also have mobile vehicles moving in all remote areas providing services to the people. These vehicles include the Mobile  police Station van, the anti-GVB mobile clinic van and Scene of Crime vehicles that collect scientific evidences,” said the Police Chief.

IGP Gasana also thanked the media fraternity for their continued partnership and urged them to continue the spirit of cooperating in crime prevention.

During the same meeting, the Chief Gender Monitor, Madam Rose Rwabuhihi, gave a detailed presentation on reporting about gender based violence where she put a lot of emphasis on objective reporting and protection of victims’ particulars.

“Covering GBV is not an easy task but the media plays a vital role not only in raising awareness but also counteracting myths the outdated attitude persisting on GBV,” she said.

"Media as an independent channel for public concerns, calls for urgent action by service providers to ensure timely response and justice, but it should be done ethically; accurately while ensuring survivors' privacy and using appropriate terms, she said.

  The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of operations, Dan Munyuza, emphasized the need to address GBV from its root causes saying that deeper analysis and dealing with crimes that lead to GBV like drug abuse and consumption of illicit brew should be focussed on.

At the end of the meeting both the police and the media fraternity resolved to reenergize efforts geared towards fighting crimes in the country.