Rwanda National Police

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Rwanda National Police (RNP) is, in layman's terms, charged with the responsibility to accurately close the gap between fact and fiction during a criminal case  as well as - detect and prevent criminal acts from happening.

Charged with the duty to promote safety, security and the rule of law, this department operates day and night in order to react fast to any crime wherever it may occur in the country.

 In a bid to understand better its mandate to functions, our media team sat down with the Commissioner for CID, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege, in an interview that sought answers to the most pertinent questions.

 Qn: As we begin, briefly explain what crime investigations entail

 ACP Badege: Criminal investigation involves studying facts and looking for evidence to identify, locate and prove the guilt of a criminal. At Rwanda National Police (RNP), criminal investigation includes searching for evidence at crime scenes in communities, interrogating suspects and interviewing witnesses and preserving evidence. We also employ various methods of investigation including modern scientific techniques and forensic science.

 Qn: Explain the roles and functions of the directorates under CID

 ACP Badege: The CID department investigates all crimes of a serious nature - such as murder, robbery, fraud, sexual offenses and assault, which usually require concerted skills to ensure that crimes are investigated fully.

 We have specialist directorates that deal with detecting and preventing crime on a larger scale.

 The main ones include; the Anti-GBV and Child Protection Directorate which investigates all cases related to gender-based violence and endeavors to gather evidence that can be used to arrest and prosecute offenders.

 The Anti-Narcotics Directorate is tasked with combating the use, manufacture, trade and smuggling of illegal drugs within the country and cross-border.

 The Economics and Financial Crimes directorate investigates financial crimes such as fraud, money laundering, counterfeiting and any other illegal activity that may hamper economic stability.

 The department in general ensures that all areas are covered and all crimes effectively investigated.

 Qn: Does the department have enough officers who are qualified to cover the whole country satisfactorily?

 ACP Badege: RNP has 76 police stations dispersed all over the country, and one of their primary goals is to ensure that crimes in communities are well documented and effectively investigated. Training remains one of the priorities at RNP in order to equip the officers with skills and knowledge in various policing areas.

 Last month (March), we launched a specialized CID School at the National Police College in Musanze District, which will serve to reinforce professionalism of officers in criminal investigations.

 The school has modern training equipment and laboratories, and offers both theory and practical lessons that will complement skills of officers in combating modern crime.

 Qn: Can you tell us what triggers a criminal investigation? What steps are taken during an investigation?

 ACP Badege: Once a criminal case has been reported and nobody has been arrested yet, CID officers immediately visit the crime scene and carry out fresh investigations. It is from there that they discern whether an arrest should be made.

 If they determine that a crime was indeed committed and a suspect is identified, they move to arrest the suspect and immediately prepare a case file for the prosecution service.  Through this whole process, we make sure to always communicate with the victim about the findings and about their right to claim for damages.

 Qn: How long does a standard investigation take and what factors determine the length of an investigation?

 ACP Badege: Our standard investigations take up to five days. A  case file is made and handed over to prosecution within those five days, but this does not mean that investigations are complete. Whenever there is new information on a case, we endeavor to include it until a criminal case is fully exhausted.

 Qn: What mechanisms are there to ensure that CID officers are professional and that the department is free from corruption and bribery?

 ACP Badege: RNP is renowned for having zero tolerance on corruption and bribery. Our officers are professional and appreciate fully the repercussions involved when any of them succumbs to corruption. As I explained earlier, we continuously ensure that their skills are upgraded in order for them to perform with effectiveness at all times.

 Qn: When an individual is apprehended, is he/she a criminal or a suspect? Explain the difference between the two and how RNP respects the rights of suspects.

 ACP Badege: As you well know, an accused person is presumed innocent until proved guilty. You are not a criminal until the courts say so. Any person detained by Police during investigations is informed of his or her charges, as well as his or her rights including the right to inform their advocate or any other person they wish to be informed.

 Most times, we temporarily apprehend suspects to prevent them from interfering with evidence, but we are bound to only hold a suspect for a maximum of ten days, 5 days for police investigations and more 5 for prosecution to analyze and  finalize  the file. Within those ten days, we work with prosecution to produce a dossier that is used to present evidence during court hearings.

 Qn: While suspects are held, how are they treat? Are their rights respected?

 ACP Badege: I welcome you and anyone else who wants to visit any detention in Rwanda to do your own analysis and find the answer for that question. By virtue of their status, all detainees and those under temporary detention have some of their rights suspended, but while in detention they are treated fairly in accordance with both national and international guidelines for treatment of detainees

 Qn: Other than investigating crime, does police follow up and help victims?

 ACP Badege: Part of our mandate in maintaining law and order is to ensure that victims of crimes get justice and compensation. On top of that, we have the Isange One Stop Centre which offers free medical and psychological assistance to victims of GBV and child abuse.

 Qn: How does Police work with prosecution authorities to solve crime?

 ACP Badege: Originally, it is Police first which handles criminal cases since we are charged with finding preliminary evidence and identifying suspects. We then work closely with prosecutors in order to put together a well-prepared case for court. Our teams work together on a daily basis to ensure that all gaps in a case are filed with well researched information.

 Qn: What are the major crimes committed in Rwanda? Are they on an upward or downward trend?

 ACP Badege: Main crimes that we have identified include; narcotics trade, aggravated assault, theft and burglary. Our operations have become more effective over the last years and have led to the arrest of several criminal ring leaders throughout the country.

 Another crime that is slowly being identified as a challenge in communities is the despicable act of child defilement. RNP has tackled this crime recently and is carrying out sensitization campaigns that call for child protection.

 Qn: RNP has been in the news for successfully foiling cross border crimes such as drugs and human trafficking, as well as motor vehicle theft. How do you manage to pull this off and what is the role of Interpol?

 ACP Badege: Such successful interceptions are due to RNP's effective investigations that track down and follow movement of criminals, as well as efficient partnerships with regional and international law enforcers.

 On top of that, all our border posts are installed with an advanced technology tool developed by Interpol called I-24/7, which facilitates sharing of information on illegal movement of certain items or smuggled  commodities between borders, including fugitives of crimes. That is why it's difficult for any smuggled vehicles to cross to another country through Rwanda.

 Qn: Lastly, what are the future ambitions of the CID Department?

 ACP Badege: We believe that we are on the right track and will continue to promote justice by making sure that criminals pay for their crimes. Our target is to continue improving the quality of major investigations and ensure that our officers are always up to date and well trained to efficiently serve people living in Rwanda by preserving a conducive environment for growth and development.