Rwanda National Police

Private security service providers have been urged to join efforts to protect children from anything that can affect their future.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jean Nepo Mbonyumuvunyi, Commissioner for Infrastructure Security and Private Security Companies (ISPSC) at Rwanda National Police (RNP) made the call on Wednesday while opening a workshop for about 600 AGESPRO private security guards.

ACP Mbonyumuvunyi said that as security personnel on bars, hotels and night clubs, they should reinforce RNP and national efforts against serving alcoholic drinks to children and abusing drugs in premises under their protection.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jean Nepo Mbonyumuvunyi, Commissioner for Infrastructure Security and Private Security Companies speaking during the training.

“Private security companies should be the focal point, we urge you to put more effort in preventing and reporting anyone, who may attempt to serve alcohol to minors or taking under-age children to night clubs where you are deployed,” ACP Mbonyumuvunyi said.

He explained that child protection is a collective responsibility, and called for patriotism, as well as professional services.

“Some security personnel act unprofessionally; always be vigilant, follow the search procedures in your premises. This country is developing very fast and you also need to move with the trend, through continuous training and acquisition of standard skills and equipment,” ACP Mbonyumuvunyi said.

Robert Mbaguta Muyango, AGESPRO managing director thanked RNP for equipping them with more skills, which he said are invaluable in their private security services.

“After this training, we expect our guards to apply what they have learnt and particularly be part of the child protection efforts by fighting serving alcohol to minors or abusing drugs in premises under our protection,” Muyango said.

AGESPRO security company, which has been in operation for the last 20 years, has over 1800 security guards deployed countrywide.

The training looks at patriotism, readiness at work, reporting system, counter-terrorism, customer care and client relations, searches and child protection, among others.

 RNP oversees private security companies. There are currently 17 private security firms in the country with more than 21, 400 security guards, combined.