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Human Security and modern policing takes center stage at RNP, RCS retreat
Saturday, 11 July, 2015 - The Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, on Saturday urged officers from Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) to coordinate efforts and embark on using advanced skills in addressing security matters.
Hon. Harerimana made the remarks as he officiated at a one-day retreat that brought together top leaders from his Ministry, RNP and RCS.
The retreat, which is the first of its kind and would be held at the beginning of every fiscal year , was held in a framework of reviewing what has been achieved and strategize how best the two institutions that are affliated to the ministry can coordinate efforts and deliver effectively.
“We have achieved a lot but we still have a lot to do to even achieve better things and that’s why we need to coordinate efforts, exchange information and also to hold this retreat on an annual basis to review how we performed previously and strategise ahead of time,” said Harerimana.
He reminded them that they have a mandate to ensure security in the country; “we are graced with RNP and RCS as two entities charged with facilitating to achieve the task assigned to us by His Excellency President Paul Kagame, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, that’s why we need to collectively review evaluate frequently” he said.
At the treat, RNP and RCS agreed to further enhance collaboration through joint trainings and development, production and engineering, joint operations and capacity building, among others.
Speaking at the retreat, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, spoke at length about key priorities of the force and also expressed the need for change in policing trends and to use modern policing as a measure of curbing contemporary crimes.
“There is a lot good that has been done, the government, the country, the leadership has been transformed. Today, we are transiting from subsistence agro-business to being an ICT economy. However, when you talk of rapid development, you can’t leave out emerging crimes; with the new trends, we need to redefine our mission,” said the IGP.
He went on to say that policing strategies are aligned with national security policy.
He pointed out that evolving citizen demographics and new public safety threats are part of the major reasons that are leading to significant adjustments in policing activities.
“A few days back it was traditional policing, today its modern policing that embarks on human security. We have moved away from classic policing,” IGP Gasana told the retreat.
At the closure of the retreat, attendants agreed to enhance coordination between RNP and RCS with a view to sharing timely information on released convicts for effective monitoring and subsequent follow up.
They also agreed to continuous review of the mission and strategies of the two entities and develop institutional strategy to bridge skills gap.
Participants emphasized the impotence of holding such retreats as a strategy to improve jointness and effective service delivery.
RNP team concludes inspection of UN mission in CAR
Friday, 10 July, 2015 - A team from Rwanda National Police (RNP) this week concluded an inspection visit of peacekeeping mission sites in the Central African Republic (CAR), which aimed at assessing the overall security and logistical environment prevailing in the mission ahead of deployment of two more contingents.
The visit was led by Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, DCGP Juvenal Marizamunda, and was composed of Commissioner of Police Cyprien Gatete and Chief Superintendent of Police Reverien Rugwizangoga.
Rwanda was the first nation to deploy a contingent of Formed Police Unit (FPU) under MINUSCA in September 2014. Currently, Rwanda maintains one infantry battalion redeployed from the African Mission in CAR (MISCA) and is deploying one Level 2 Hospital at Bria.
The second FPU will be the third RNP unit to be deployed in CAR in addition to the first FPU already deployed and the Protection Support Unit (PSU) whose preparations for deployment are in final stage.
In his remarks during the visit, DCGP Juvenal Marizamunda assured the mission leadership of the RNP readiness to deploy the two upcoming units in terms of both equipment and personnel.
“The purpose of the reconnaissance was to determine how the actual environment and circumstances in which the FPU will operate could impact its capability in undertaking the tasks given in the MINUSCA Concept of Operations (CONOPS),” said DCGP Marizamunda.
The Gambian Police Chief commends RNP’s excellent traffic control
Thursday, 09 July, 2015 - The visiting Gambian Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ben Wilson has commended the Rwanda National Police (RNP) road traffic control initiatives and professionalism and efficient exhibited by officers in maintaining road safety.
While speaking during his visit to the department of Traffic and Road Safety on Thursday, IGP Wilson noted that throughout his stay in Rwanda, he had observed appropriate road safety policies implemented by RNP including quick and efficient issuance of driver’s licence, which are essential in balancing the overall transport sector and public safety.
“RNP has implemented cost-efficient traffic regulations which require the partnership and understanding of all road users. On top of that, the traffic flow is well managed in regard to vehicle and pedestrian movement, as well as environment protection, which are all essential in sustainable development,” he said.
He also added that; “Many countries in Africa are plagued with mismanagement of traffic and road safety – and I am quite sure that they can learn a lot from Rwanda. On my side, I am eager to take many of the ideas I have learnt from Rwanda back to The Gambia as regards to the management of traffic safety.”
The RNP efficiency, he noted, makes the force a role model to other police forces that seek to offer similar services that builds trust among the citizenry.
160 Police Officers off to Haiti as rotation begins
Tuesday, 07 July, 2015 - A contingent of 160 Rwanda National Police officers on Monday departed for one-year peacekeeping operations under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
The sixth contingent under Formed Police Unit (FPU VI) headed by Commissioner of Police Joseph Mugisha and includes 22 females.
The officers were seen off by Commissioner for Operations, Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Butera, alongside the Commissioner for Peace Support Operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police Jimmy Hodari and other senior officers at Kigali International Airport,
The fifth contingent, headed CP Bruce Munyambo is expected to return home here on Wednesday, July 08, 2015 after serving for one year to bring peace and stability to Haiti. The officers are returning home with a record or exceptional performance and UN medals for their outstanding and professional services in the Caribbean nation.
Commissioner Butera advised the officers to show a high level of discipline as expected of them during their mission, as well as be innovative by extending homegrown solutions to residents in their mission areas.
“Be motivated at all times. Be disciplined, professional and make your country proud by serving excellently to deliver results as expected. Let your actions be guided by the Rwandan spirit and the Rwandan flag fly high and your uniform be respected ” he said.
Butera told the departing officers that they are ambassadors of Rwanda and every action they take will represent Rwanda.
RNP welcomes officers from Haiti peacekeeping mission
Wednesday, 08 July, 2015 - Rwanda National Police (RNP) o Wednesday welcomed back a contingent of 140 officers that returned home on July 8 after successfully completing a one year peacekeeping duties under the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
The returned contingent under Rwanda Formed Police Unit five (RWAFPU V) include 17 females and was led Commissioner of Police Bruce Munyambo as its contingent commander.
The officers came home with a record of exceptional performance, with UN medals and special certificates in recognition of their outstanding and professional services in the Caribbean nation.
They were received at Kigali International Airport by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda in presence of other RNP commissioners and senior police officers.
In his debrief, DIGP Marizamunda praised the officers for maintaining a high level of professionalism and discipline during their operations in Haiti, and urged them to use their expertise to advance RNP’s mission in maintaining law and order in Rwanda.
Gambia, South Sudan Police chiefs hail RNP
Tuesday, 07 July, 2015 -The Gambian Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Ben Wilson, together with South Sudan Deputy IGP, Lt Gen Abraham Peter Manyuat, were on Tuesday impressed by the record achievements made by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in 15 years since the force’s inception.
The two officers who were in the country to attend the third graduation of Police Senior Command and Staff ceremony also paid a courtesy call on the IGP Emmanuel K Gasana and toured several RNP departments to learn more from their Rwandan counterparts.
Gasana briefed the two delegates about RNP’s operations, the force’s efforts in fighting contemporary and cross-border crimes, and pointed out that the concept of cooperation informs the force on how to reshape policing to match with new trends.
“We are law enforcers whose mandate is to ensure safety and security of the people, in doing that, reshaping policies becomes worthy. In this quest, we are not isolated,” Gasana told the two officers at RNP Headquarters.
He further pointed out that some of the crimes that form a new behavior in the policing regime include terrorism, cyber crimes, cross-border crimes, corruption, organized crimes and political issues related to ideologies that affect security.
“But we have strategic actions to counter these issues. For future prospects, we shall be seeking your cooperation to ensure that organized and cross-border crimes are prevented. We may have some challenges that are external but we are committed and determined to ensure maximum security,” the IGP said.
US Ambassador commends RNP’s strong partnership
Monday, 06 July, 2015 - The US Ambassador to Rwanda, Erica Barks-Ruggles, on Monday commended Rwanda National Police (RNP) for its high-level professionalism and commitment to upgrade skills of its officers, which has enabled the force to sustain the peace and security of Rwanda.
She was speaking on July 6, during her visit of the Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana District, which was conducted under the auspices of a partnership signed between the government of Rwanda and the USA in April this year.
Under the agreement, the US government agreed to reinforce RNP’s peacekeeping capabilities through trainings which conform to the latest UN standards to enable quick and efficient deployment whenever called upon.
Ambassador Barks-Ruggles and her team were welcomed by the Commandant of the Police Training School, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dennis Basabose, who made a presentation about the school’s profess since its inception in 2000.
Ambassador Barks-Ruggles noted that RNP had grown into a professional and world-renowned force, which citizens trust to ensure safety and security as the backbone of the country’s development.
“The US administration recognizes the struggle and the journey that Rwanda has taken to ensure that policing in the country is specialized and practiced in line with the requirements of a modern society. This is very crucial, especially when one considers the traumatic past that Rwanda endured in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” she said.
Third ‘Police Senior Command and Staff Course' intake students graduate
Monday, 06 July, 2015 - Thirty Senior Police officers from eight African countries, on July 6, graduated after successfully completing a one-year Police Senior Command and Staff course at Rwanda National Police College(NPC) in Musanze District.
The graduands of the third intake of NPC 's highest academic course were from Burundi, Ethiopia Gambia, Kenya, Namibia, South Sudan, Uganda and Rwanda, the hosts.
The one-year course offers strategic Command and leadership as well Master’s programme in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation offered in partnership with the Centre for Conflict Management of the University of Rwanda-College of Arts and Social Science.
It combines Police components, which include command, and operational staff work offered by Rwanda National Police, and a level seven certificate in strategic management and leadership.
The Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, conferred the 30 grandaunds with certificates and decorated them with the PSC symbol (Passed-Staff-College.)
“I, Musa Fazil Harerimana, Minister of Internal Security, responsible for RNP, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame and by virtual of authority entrusted to him by the law, on the occasion of your completion of Police Senior Command and Staff in this college I do hereby confer to you the title of Passed Staff College from this day,” minister Harerimana, who officiated at the colorful ceremony, said.
The course acquired by the officers is the highest conducted by NPC. It was designed to impart selected senior police officers with strategic management, leadership command and policing skills as it opens them to the global understanding of the contemporary peace and conflict management.
The graduation was attended by dignitaries from different countries including Rwandan Senior government, Police, and military officers.
“As the college we strongly believe that contemporary policing environment compels us to share these skills with other African countries because in policing no countries can go alone...it is in this spirit that that the course attracted 30 participants from eight African countries,” NPC commandant, Commissioner of Police Felix Namuhoranye, said.
During the period of one year, participants were taken through a combined programme addressing both professional and academic needs at the strategic police command level.
“I know that the training has been demanding but I hope it was also educative and rewarding. I am confident that, for many of you, this was a critical opportunity to build on your field of exposure. In order to maintain the college standards we will continue to review the existing programmes to meet the needs of the changing policing environment,' CP Namuhoranye said.
During the ceremony, Minister Harerimana also awarded the three best performing students; Superintendent Barbara Alungat from Uganda Police Force was awarded with the best commander’s paper award for presenting the best academic paper, while The Gambia’s Chief Superintendent of Police Mustafa Ndong scooped the best allied student’s award for his exceptional academic command and leadership qualities exhibited in different capacities.
The overall best student’s award went to Chief Superintendent of Police Robert Niyonshuti for demonstrating outstanding leadership, management and command coupled with advanced academic abilities and teamwork.
The Best Allied Award was meant for the best foreign student. According to Ndong, his coming to Rwanda was from cooperation between the two IGPs of Rwanda and The Gambia in an effort to strengthen relations.
Prior to the graduation ceremony the students held internal and External study tours in two groups in Namibia and Kenya and also had a symposium on Crime, Security and Justice.
IGP pledges more support to Police sports teams
Sunday, 05 July, 2015 - The Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K Gasana on Sunday committed to providing more support to both Police FC and Police handball team following a record performance by the two teams in the last six months.
IGP Gasana made the commitment as he hosted the two teams for a cocktail gala at Rwanda national Police headquarters where he also delivered a message from the Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana congratulating the two teams for their tremendous performance and also took stalk of the contribution by police leadership in supporting the teams.
“We have plans to equip the teams with more advanced kits; we already have a highly advanced team bus en route from Mombasa. The handball team will be receiving bonuses frequently,” the IGP said.
The IGP emphasized that all success and achievement s were enabled by the guidance and support from H.E Paul Kagame the President of the Republic of Rwanda and the commander-in-chief of defense and Security forces .
Playing before a fully packed Amahoro Stadium, Police FC on Saturday won the 2015 Peace Cup title after seeing off Rayon Sports in a 1-0 victory.
IGP briefs Traffic and Road Safety department on professionalism
Sunday, 05 July, 2015 - In line with his continuous visits and support to specialized and territorial police units, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana briefed the Traffic and Road Safety Department on the need to enhance professionalism in order to effectively advance safety and security.
IGP Gasana address traffic officers operating in the central region as well as Regional Police traffic units, at Rwanda National Police Headquarters in Kacyiru on July 05.
“I commend you for the work you do and the sacrifice you make which are very vital for the security and safety of Rwanda. You should work even harder and smarter by being vigilant and professional at all times,” he said.
“You should be exemplary to the public and fully understand your mission, which requires you to employ your skills and knowledge in order to ensure the security and safety prevails in Rwanda.”
He emphasized and outlined integrity, modernization and discipline as key ingredients that the officers need to overcome emerging security challenges and sophisticated crimes committed through the exploitation of technology.
“Officers need to upgrade their knowledge and skills all times to be ahead of any emerging challenge. On top of working hard, you should also work smart by being setting examples and upholding human rights,” he said.
“You should have a positive attitude and confidence to confront the emerging security challenges of today. Being updated and supportive to good governance policies will provide a basis for you to work efficiently with the public you serve”
IGP Gasana also reminded the officers to uphold high levels of discipline in order to earn public trust, which is essential in advancing community policing.
As the IGP emphasized on professionalism, recent reports indicates that traffic accidents reduced by 50% in the last quarter of 2014.
