Rwanda National Police

With just six months after the Rwanda National Police and Gakenke District formalised the partnership in crime prevention and food security, the two institutions have commended the achievements so far, which is seen as a boost towards sustainable security and development.

On May 21, the two institutions evaluated the implementation of the partnership agreement signed in December last year. The exercise was also attended by provincial and district local leaders.

The evaluation focused mainly on crime prevention strategies, capacity building of Community Policing Committees and strengthening ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ programme.

In the last six months, the two institutions established a transit centre for screening arrested wrongdoers, rehabilitated Gakenke District Police Unit (DPU) and constructed a residential house for police officers operating in the area.

The district Mayor, Déogratias Nzamwita, who said that the partnership has played a vital role in cracking down on criminals in the area, added that members of CPCs were also trained in crime prevention, conducted awareness campaigns against crimes including drug abuse, domestic and gender-based violence and child abuse.

So far, 1326 members of CPCs in the district have been equipped with various policing skills, all aimed at crime prevention.

Others include identifying and counseling and advising families that were previously ridden with domestic conflicts, on how best to iron their wrangles.

Last week, the district conducted a week-long campaign against crimes.

Deo Kabagambe, the executive secretary of the Northern Province, who presided over the exercise, thanked RNP and Gakenke for walking the talk to improve security in the area and urged them not to lean back.

Senior Supt. Gilbert Ruhorahoza, the District Police Commander pledged the RNP’s continued support to further improve the security and the well-being of people of Gakenke and the country in general.