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Kinyarwanda
The 6th edition of the Rwanda National Police (RNP) activities to mark its 15th anniversary dubbed ‘Police Week 2015 – 15 year of partnership in Policing – will be launched today in Musanze District as the force continues to reinforce the concept of community policing in crime prevention.
Police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa said that the week-long activities will be conducted across the country focusing on crime prevention awareness and outreach programmes, ahead of June 16, when RNP will officially celebrate its 15 years of existence.
“The 'Police Week 2015' is a moment to reignite crime prevention awareness campaign, appreciate the commitment and support from our partners in policing and celebrate achievements we have made in the last 15 years,” CSP Twahirwa said
Formed in June 2000, RNP was the result of a merger between three institutions including; Gendarmerie Nationale, Communal and Judicial Police, which had the policing mandate at the time.
They however lacked coordination and harmony and professionalism to march needs in law enforcement during a period when criminality was considerably high.
“Besides the country’s support and good leadership RNP has enjoyed, the success registered in the last 15 years was also due to strong partnership with other players in policing, especially the general public, who played an important role in creating safety and security Rwanda is enjoying today,” he added.
“During these activities, RNP will give out four houses it constructed for the disadvantaged in Busasamana Sector, Nyanza District, each valued at Rwf9 million; and 17 cows to vulnerable families in various parts of the country.”
RNP has been supporting various human empowerment projects since its establishment, engineered towards reinforcing government socio-economic development agenda under the concept of community policing.
The force also donated at least 20 motorcycles to motorcyclist co-operatives and 10 vehicles to districts in support to community policing initiatives and and planted 500 hectares of forest in the last 15 years.
More to that, RNP contributed over Rwf1 billion to Agaciro Development Fund, Rwf75 million to Gir'inka Project, as well as paid medical insurance premium and donated mosquito nets to over 6, 000 families in previous Police Weeks.
“These human security activities and donations are driven by the overall agenda under the auspices of government’s poverty eradication programme.”
It has since built and distinguished itself as a vibrant, professional and respectable force both locally and internationally.
RNP has grown in personnel by over 200 percent since 2000 – and also bolstered its capacities and infrastructures that include three police schools, a hospital and 12 health centres.
Traffic and road safety was also boosted with the establishment of vehicle mechanical inspection centres.
Beyond borders, RNP is involved in peacekeeping operations since 2005, and it has headed various regional police groupings like the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO).
It has also held representation for Africa on Interpol committees while spearheading Police-to-Police cooperation across the continent, which has seen criminals apprehended, including genocide fugitives.
Meanwhile, on June 8, the force gave out two motorcycles and financial support to a commercial motorcycle association operating in Rusizi and Karongi districts.
While speaking to hundreds of residents who attended the event in Karongi, Commissioner of Police (CP) Cyprien Gatete, Commissioner for Reserve Police Force, said that ensuring security goes beyond keeping law and order to empowering the community in order to overcome the vulnerability of engaging in crime.
“Modern policing is neither the role of police alone nor is it about just enforcing the law and apprehending criminals. It is about collective response to crime through community policing and reaching out to the disadvantaged - and this is how RNP functions,” CP Gatete
He appealed to Karongi residents to reignite crime prevention campaigns by reinforcing the concept of Neighborhood Watch and challenge commercial motorcyclists to be vigilant against criminality.
In Rusizi, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Damas Gatare, Commissioner for Community Policing in RNP, who handed over the motorcycle and cash donations, echoed the same message, noting that motorcyclists should stop aiding criminality in communities.
"There are some motorcyclists, who have been committing crimes like drug abuse and trafficking, while some others are exploited by wrongdoers to transport their illegal goods. These are acts that you should fight amongst yourselves and ensure that such individuals do not to tarnish the good image of your business profession," ACP Gatare said.
He reminded area residents who turned up for the event to be community agents in crime prevention and reporting, fight and desist from acts of family conflicts, mostly caused by consumption of illicit drugs
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana emphasised that all efforts to face-lift the capacities of the force are due to the "guidance of the Commander -in-Chief of Defence and Security Forces."
He quoted the President where he said that "Development can only take place on the foundation of law and order ...law enforcement agencies, therefore, have a crucial role in ensuring peaceful conditions within which citizens can fully participate in the prosperity and wellbeing of their communities,"
