Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) top leadership, on January 9, started a countrywide tour to evaluate the force’s activities in District Police Units (DPUs) and consequently lay more strategies to improve service delivery.

The RNP leadership  has used this scheduled tour to ensure all police officers clearly understand the end  of year message to Rwanda  defense  forces  and security forces from HE, Paul Kagame the president of the republic of Rwanda.

The four-day tour started in Rubavu District, Western Province, where the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana visited the DPUs of Rubavu, Ngororero and Nyabihu, and challenged the officers to be always guided by discipline, hard work and result-oriented.

IGP Gasana reminded the officers to work towards realizing the mission and vision of RNP, which is to make the people living in Rwanda feel safe, involved and reassured, through the provision of high quality services, being accountable and transparent as well as, safeguarding the rule of law.

“In everything you do, remember to uphold discipline and professionalism,” IGP Gasana said, urging them to use their skills and knowledge to the best of their abilities for the good of Rwandans.

 “You must also desist from malpractices like corruption, drunkenness, which blur your judgment and prevent you from being just. You must be exemplary,” he said.

He also met and held discussions with local leaders and emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in human security and crime prevention.

Rwanda National Police has a unique partnership with districts after signing cooperation agreements, separately, with each of the 30 districts to partner in various policing and development areas.

 The partnership, among others, focuses on empowering Community Policing Committees (CPCs), crime prevention, community mobilization to participate in development activities and community awareness on cultural-related activities.

Another team of officers led by DIGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, is visiting DPUs in the Northern region.

By the end of Saturday, DIGP Marizamunda had already visited Police Stations in Gicumbi, Rulindo and Gakenke.

In his message, he commended the officers on their performance, but added that there is still need to narrow the Police-public gap to make community policing a more effective tool in crime prevention.

 “You must improve public trust by working professionally, be efficient in dealing with residents’ problems and involve and work with communities in dealing with security challenges they face,” he said.

Community Policing is one of the ten priorities set by the force to combat crimes.

Others include capacity building especially through training, infrastructure development improving the welfare of officers and cooperation.

 DIGP Marizamunda reiterated that staying out of trouble and fighting corruption must be part and parcel of their professional conduct.