Rwanda National Police

The one day symposium on ‘Peace and Security’ held at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze district ended with a call for participants to jointly use the acquired knowledge and skills to confront challenges faced by law enforcement agencies.

The formal exercise held on July 14 was part of the training of the 28 Police officers from nine regional countries attending the one year second intake of the Police Senior Command and Staff Course.

Amb. Valens Munyabagisha, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security, while officially closing the symposium, said that no single law enforcement agency that can contain the modern security challenges single-handedly.

“This has been a very rich symposium, made so by the remarkable and knowledgeable speakers and participants. This is a valuable learning experience for the course participants and I have no doubt it has broadened their knowledge on peace and security,” said Munyabagisha.

The symposium, the first of its kind organized by the College, attracted various speakers with expertise in peace and security, justice and media, all which play a great role in ensuring safety and peace of communities.

“All of us are addressing some of the eminent challenges that make it hard for law enforcement agents to address peace and security issues. This symposium has generally covered the major areas, from which the course participants will find answers to enhance their empirical research as they widen their knowledge on peace and security, acquire accurate information to understand the trends appropriately and prepare from peace time,” he observed.

Earlier on, during discussions, Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, who was one of the panelists, said the success of Rwanda’s law enforcement agencies was due to the good guidance and leadership.

“Without guidance from Rwanda's leadership, law enforcers would completely fail,” the IGP said.

He noted that currently, there are organised emerging crimes that need much attention and new strategies.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, Military and Defence spokesperson noted that the DRC-based terrorist groups use media propaganda as a major tool to spread false information.

Arthur Asiimwe, the Director General of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) also said that law enforcement agencies should strengthen their cooperation with the media to share information, which also facilitates modern policing.

The course combines three Police components; ‘operational staff work of police’ offered by Rwanda National Police, ‘strategic leadership and management,’ (level seven certificate), offered by the UK-based Bramshill Police College and a Master’s in ‘Peace Studies and Conflict Management’ offered in partnership with the University of Rwanda-College of Arts and Social Science (CASS).