Rwanda National Police

Every Monday, we bring you a recap of the major activities that Rwanda National Police (RNP) conducted in the previous week, aimed at further improving safety, security and peace in the country. Below are some of those major activities:

 Over 600 Police officers complete VIP protection and counter terrorism course

 On April 30, a group of 622  Police officers successfully graduated at Counter Terrorism Training Centre in Mayange, Bugesera District, as Rwanda National Police (RNP) endeavours to build capacity necessary to protect the country against  threats to security.

 The pass-out ceremony of the third intake held at the school was officiated by the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana. Present was also DIGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda and other commissioners and senior officers.

 Graduating officers completed courses in VIP protection and  counterterrorism began  on January 19, 2015

 In his remarks, IGP Gasana applauded the officers for having maintained a high level of discipline during the training and also for showing great determination and concentration to complete the practical tasks they were required to perform.

 “We are endeavoring to build skills of police officers in every area required, so that we can protect the people and image of our country in this era where criminals use technology and sophisticated methods to carry out their destructive schemes,” he said.

 RNP constantly trains its officers in order to increase their ability to overcome crime and protect residents.

 RNP, PSF sign MoU to against business crimes partner

 On Monday, 27 April, Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner in fighting and preventing  crime in general and in business community particularly.

 The agreement was signed between the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana and Claver Mugabo, the vice chairman of PSF in a function held at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru.

 The overall objective of the MoU is to establish a framework for mutual cooperation through exchange of timely information, carryout joint training and joint investigations in crimes faced by the business community.

 Other areas of cooperation include fighting graft related crimes, joint awareness, management and organization of public transport companies to ensure road safety as well as ensuring that bars and restaurants operate as per the given licence while respecting the law.

 IGP Gasana noted that the concept of security and development requires this kind of partnership to effectively address threats to rapid transformation by maintaining and restoring law and order.

 He outlined internet fraud, terrorism, counterfeit products, smuggling, money laundering,corruption and tax evasion as serious crimes that undermine not only security but also the business community in pursuit for national development.

 “RNP considers members of the private sector as ambassadors of crime prevention, and we have no doubt this partnership will reinforce such community policing initiatives through timely information sharing, joint awareness while enforcing the ideal of human security as we fight crimes like drug trafficking,” IGP Gasana said.

 “No country can develop without a sound and vibrant private sector. This partnership is, therefore, paramount in order to enhance business security in the country and subsequently help to achieve development this country desires.”

 Mugabo commended RNP’s enormous efforts and commitment to preserving a conducive environment for growth and development.

 “This level of safety and security has attracted and aided investment and business development, and we are grateful to move together on this vital journey of sustainable security and making Rwanda a business hub

 Cooperation is among the RNP  key priorities as it reinforces the overall ideal of community policing, another priority area in the force.

 RNP acquire Rulindo HQs

 The Rulindo District Police Unit received premises to accommodate the district police unit and a police station as Rwanda National Police (RNP) endeavors to get closer to the public and offer more efficient services to the residents.

  The premises  - which were provided by the District of Rulindo in partnership with the Rwanda Transport Development Authority (RTDA) – were officially opened on April 27 by the Northern province Governor, Aimé Bosenibamwe alongside the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana.

 Governor Bosenibamwe in his remarks noted that crime in the region had tremendously reduced due to concerted efforts and urged residents in the area to continue working with Police by providing timely information.

 “As Rwandans we should all work together to protect our country’s achievements in development and security. We can do so by working with police to maintain law and order and ensuring that we overcome crime in our neighborhoods,” he said.

 In his remarks, IGP Gasana thanked the district for endeavoring to partner with police, adding that the District Police Unit will bring together all police activities in the district and ensure closeness with area residents.

 “Professional and efficient services from Police require us to get closer to the people that we serve. It is through this realization that this new building was opened today, in order to consolidate police services in the area and make them easily accessible to the residents,” he said.

 “We are also planning to increase the number of police stations and ensure that there is a station in every sector. This will help us to promote Community Policing, which has been successful in preventing crimes through police-public partnership.”

 This new facility will facilitate RNP to efficiently discharge its duties in a more conducive environment where all customers will be attended very well. 

 IGP Gasana calls for effectiveness among investigators and prosecutors

 The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana, has called for teamwork and effectiveness among criminal investigators and prosecutors to ensure a fast and fair process in administration of justice.

 IGP Gasana made the call on April 28 in Rwamagana District at the closure of the two-day course on human rights and Crime Investigation attended by Police criminal investigators and prosecutors from the Eastern Province.

 The training was organized by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and funded by the Legal AID Forum-LAF. 

 The closing ceremony was also graced the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda and other commissioners and senior officers, among others.

 The world, he said, is currently confronted with emerging crimes which are cross-border in nature, largely facilitated by development and technology advancement which have reshaped the nature of criminality, which requires concerted efforts between different players to prevent, detect and investigate  crimes  to get enough evidence against suspects.

 He outlined cybercrime, vehicle theft, human and drug trafficking as some of the emerging security challenges that requires periodic training to acquire new investigation techniques and effective jointness between investigators and prosecutors.

 He further urged against soliciting bribes or indulging in graft related crimes.

 During the training workshop, investigators and prosecutors exchanged ideas on how to harmonize their activities for effective implementation of their judicial duties.

 This training followed similar others that benefited investigators and prosecutors operating in the City of Kigali, Western and Southern provinces remaining Norther province which is next on the plan.

 The training that ended in the Northern province with 50 people, benefited over 200 district and station judicial police officers, station commanders and prosecutors across the country.

 Rwanda National Police pursues capacity building and skills development as one of the pillars to professional policing and a lasting strategy towards crime prevention and sustainable peace and security.

 Local leaders, parents challenged to reignite fight against GBV, child abuse as campaign goes to Western region

 The countrywide campaign against gender based violence (GBV) and child abuse was rolled out in the all provinces where leaders and parents were challenged to reignite efforts geared towards combating the vices in communities.

 While speaking at the awareness exercise held in Rusizi District, Emmanuel Nsigaye, the vice mayor in charge of Social Affairs, commended Rwanda Police leadership for "solid strategies" to combat and eliminate all forms of GBV.

 Despite these measures, Nsigaye said, there is still a gap in these great course that leaders and parents need to fill for sustainable.

 The campaign brought together local leaders in the district, representatives of the National Council for Women, District Administrative Security Services Organ (DASSO), Community Policing Committees (CPCs) and residents.

 He further appealed to area residents maintain harmony and peace in their families and urged parents to be exemplary and set a good line that their children will follow.

 Deputy Commissioner General of Police (DCGP) Stanley Nsabimana said that RNP perceives all forms of GBV and and child as a human rights violation and hindrance to national development, a reason as to why fighting them is among the force's priorities.

 DCGP Nsabimana appealed to the local leaders and the general population to own this awareness and fight against challenges faced by women and children and always share timely information on families or where these issues exist for fast response.

 The Coordinator for Isange One Stop Centers (IOSC), ACP Dr. Wilson Rubanzana explained the free comprehensive services offered by the centre which currently operates in 12 hospitals across the country.

 The holistic services offered to GBV and child abuse victims at the centre include medical support, judicial and legal aid and psychological counselling among others.

 The campaign which started on April 5, is  jointly organized by the Embassy of Netherlands, One UN-Rwanda and RNP  is held under the theme "Fighting GBV and Child abuse a   Responsibility For All."

 Police joins countrywide campaign against GBV committed in public places

 On Wednesday, 29 April, Rwanda National Police (RNP) joined several public and private entities to strongly condemn the shameful and degrading acts committed against women in public areas.

 The campaign against gender based violence (GBV) was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, Kigali Bus Services and the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO).

 The one day campaign began at Lemigo Hotel in Kigali, where representatives of public transporters engaged RNP and other organizers in candid discussions about the challenge of sexually assaulting women and girls in public spaces - particularly on buses - and how such acts can be discouraged.

 The awareness campaign was thereafter taken to Remera Bus Park, where residents, passengers and public transporters listened to presentations on how to kick GBV out of public places and communities.

 Minister for Gender and Family Promotion, Oda Gasinzinwa, noted that GBV is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world, adding that it must be dealt with in Rwanda by all institutions and every responsible citizen.

 Fidele Ndayisaba, the Mayor of the City of Kigali, said that there is strong political commitment to address the incidences of GBV; however, it must be matched with community willingness to effectively condemn such acts.

 Commissioner of Police (CP) Emmanuel Butera, Commissioner for Operations in RNP who represented police at occasion added that The force has shown strong commitment to prevent and fight GBV, and will press on against suspected GBV culprits in society that are reported by citizens.

 “Just like we have a zero tolerance towards corruption, the citizenry should also ensure that we have a zero tolerance attitude towards GBV. This intolerable behavior against women is not part of the Rwandan culture  and should be stopped before it becomes a menace,” he said.

 As part of the fight against GBV, the Proprietor of Kigali Bus Services, Charles Ngarambe, said that the company had implemented a number of strategies to prevent sexual assault on buses.

 These strategies include; putting stickers in buses with anti-GBV messages, playing audio messages calling against the scourge and dragging offenders to nearby police posts.

 The public was also reminded about the toll free call services available, through which any case of GBV and child abuse can be reported in order for investigations to commence.

 Police and the Gender Monitoring Office can be reached on 3512 and 5798 toll free calls, respectively.

 Awareness campaigns against crimes also continued among different players including in schools, motorcycle cooperatives and communities.