Rwanda National Police

When the Mobile Police Station Vehicle service was launched early in January, no one anticipated how overwhelmingly it would be received and supported by the residents.

With innovation at the helm of service delivery at Rwanda National Police (RNP), these “mobile police stations” were a very appropriate way to usher in a New Year.

By providing a service that is needed and essential in the deepest and remotest of societies, RNP has once again proved that it is innovative and service-driven.

The service is particularly extended to citizens residing or working in places located far away from Police stations, whereby, a mobile vehicle treks through the terrain searching for those wishing to make complaints or to report injustices committed against them.

The idea stems from the fact that many times people have cases to report but because the police post is far away, they end up not making the report –thus suffering injustices that they may not have to.

Ever since it was launched in Kamonyi District, Mugina Sector, the Mobile Police Station Vehicle service has received and documented over 100 complaints from citizens from just two operations.

Most of these complaints hover around asset ownership, family wrangles, theft, poor services from local leaders, gender based violence, family neglect, and many others.

Police statistics indicate that 41 cases remained with Police, while the rest were sent to answerable public institutions.

The cases that Police remained with are those within its mandate to investigate, while the rest were channeled to relevant institutions such as the judiciary and local leaders, where residents can get further assistance.

Another very notable service that these vehicles are providing is education to residents on matters pertaining their rights and freedoms and where to report particular complaints they may be having.

As witnessed from the two missions carried out already in Kamonyi and Bugesera districts, hundreds of residents are eager to talk to Police officers and narrate their ordeals.

For this reason, Police is planning to partner with other institutions such as the Ministry of Justice, in order to efficiently serve all residents regardless of the type of their complaints.

Local leaders and representatives from concerned public service providers are expected to be present during these missions as well.

In its forthcoming missions that will be determined after surveys, Police officers will be joined by officials from the ministry of justice at the scene of the Mobile Police Station Vehicles, to provide information to residents that may need to open legal proceedings.

Police currently has two Mobile Station Vehicles that cover areas which are assessed to be in need of the services, but from the way the service has already proved essential, there are plans to have enough vehicles that can traverse the whole country within the coming years.

This is another innovative way through which RNP will realize its vision aimed at making the people living in Rwanda feel safe, involved and reassured.

By dedicating its resources and skills to its mission, Police continues to demonstrate dedication to the delivery of high quality services, accountability and transparency, as well as safeguarding rule of law and providing a safe and crime free environment.

The mobile services are to public disposal, utilise them to ensure that justice is delivered.