Rwanda National Police

Police High Council’ focuses on quality service

On Monday, March 16, Rwanda National Police held its 'Police High Council,' presided over by the Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana.

The Council attracted over 200 officers, who represented their colleagues.

Minister Harerimana commended the selfless and dedicated services of Police officers in a bid to protect the lives of people living in Rwanda and their property.

"Despite numerous risks and challenges brought about by criminals and negative elements, officers carry out their daily tasks with dedication and continue to discharge their duties selflessly in saving and protecting the lives of other people. This is a great value of patriotism that should always be upheld,” Harerimana said.

He further explained to the council members the task that was assigned to Rwanda National Police by the 2015 National Leadership Retreat held late last month.

The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, urged the officers to be “vigilant more than ever before,” to be ahead of wrongdoers noting that perpetrators are also trying to device new ways to elude the law.

The Council which is the supreme organ of RNP, brings together commissioners heading various departments, commanders of units, regional and district commanders, seniors and junior officers as well as representatives of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from all territorial and specialized police units.

It sits  four times every year to evaluate the implementation of resolutions taken in previous meetings, identify success, challenges and devise new strategies aimed at excelling in law enforcement duties. The council took a number of resolutions to be implemented with immediate effect with a view to improving the quality of services offered by Rwanda National Police.

Rwanda Peacekeepers in Ivory Coast get medals of excellence

On Monday, March 16, we reported that 47 RNP officers were among 80 peacekeepers serving under United Nations Operation in Ivory Coast (ONUCI) that received UN medals on March 12 for their excellent and professional implementation of their mission goal aimed at fostering peace and security in the West African nation.

The United Nations Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Ivory Coast, Simon Munzu commended the peacekeepers for their consistent professionalism and exemplary hard work in protecting civilians and supporting the government of Ivory Coast to enforce peace and security.

The UN Police Commissioner for UNOCI, CP Vianney Nshimiyimana, said that the mission was successful in bringing positive reforms in the security sector, civilian protection, overseeing the disarmament process and developing the capacity of the Ivorian Police force.

Minister Busingye calls for stronger cooperation to Overcoming modern crimes

On March 20, Rwanda National Police organized a one day workshop  which brought together judicial police officers and prosecutors to chart strategies on how to improve criminal investigations and prosecution of offenders.

The workshop witnessed fruitful debate among participants, who sought better mechanisms to constantly continue studying and laying strategies to tackle crimes like money laundering, terrorism, human trafficking and cyber crime among other.

The Minister of Justice, Johnston Busingye, while presiding over the opening at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru, said law enforcers need to work even harder and cooperate among themselves to ensure that emerging crimes like human trafficking, terrorism, Money Laundering, cybercrimes among others are tackled effectively.

The event held at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru, was also graced by the Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana and the Prosecutor General Richard Muhumuza – and was attended by senior police officials and officers operating in the Criminal Investigation Department.

“All crimes, big or small, have negative impact on national development and must be tackled through systematic planning and fruitful cooperation between Police, national entities, regional and international law enforcers,” Busingye said.

He commended the visible  capabilities being registered by RNP and the selfless duties by enforcers who continuously seek for evidence that helps during the prosecution of offenders.

It was also graced by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana and Prosecutor General, Richard Muhumuza.

IGP Gasana told participants that to deal with contemporary crimes and sophisticated criminals effectively, it is necessary for law enforcement to become smarter and better equipped.

IGP Gasana mentioned that Rwanda’s cooperation with regional bodies, such as the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) and internationally with INTERPOL, have enhanced RNP standards and enabled the force to extend its arm beyond traditional borders to pursue criminals and fugitives in other countries.

UN Police component chief visit RNP HQs

The director of the Police division in the United Nations, Stefan Feller, on March 18, visited the Rwanda National Police General Headquarters in Kacyiru where he commended the force's contribution to international peace building.

Stefan, who was accompanied by Renata Dwan from the UN headquarters, was received by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana.

 "I am more than happy for the work done by Rwanda Police officers in various UN missions to restore peace, safety and security," Stefan said.

He was briefed on the RNP ten-year journey in peacekeeping operation since 2005 when the force deployed the maiden 49 officers under the then African Union mission in Sudan, and its current capabilities.

Prior to the meeting, Stefan visited Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi where he laid a wreath in remembrance of the over one million victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

He also visited the Peacekeeping Pre-deployment Training Centre located at the Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana district where he was briefed on various disciplines given to officers prior to deployment to UN missions. In a guided tour he was walked through the training centre and shown the training facilities and the model FPU base camp which is used to effectively  prepare police officers before deployment to any UN mission.

Police launches anti-drug abuse campaign in Kirehe

On Thursday March 19, Rwanda National Police (RNP) launched a campaign to fight and prevent the manufacture, trade and consumption of illicit drugs and narcotics in Kirehe district, yesterday, as the force continues its awareness against the vice that is rated high among the youth.

The launch of the campaign which followed three-day operations especially targeting cannabis dealers, as part of the ongoing operations to cut the supply chain, was presided over by the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana.

It was launched under the theme: "Turning Back Drugs to Protect the Youth."

It was characterized by testimonies from reformed drug dealers and attended by local leaders in the Eastern province and hundreds of areas residents and students in particular.

At least 74 percent of narcotics trafficked into Rwanda pass through Kirehe District, according to Police reports.

IGP Gasana recognised the role of reformers and urged them to spread the gospel against narcotics in every corner of Rwanda.

"The war against drug abuse requires collective effort and partnership with Police in order to safeguard our society and protect the future of the youth," he said.

He commended Kirehe residents to work hard to ensure that national programs aimed at development are beneficial to all and urged them to continue this good work by protecting their community against drug traffickers.

During the three-day operation, prior to the official launch, officers with sniffer dogs, in which a number of people were arrested including a 19-year old Jean Claude Munyeshyaka, who was arrested yesterday morning en route to Kigali with 8kgs of cannabis.

30 Police officers complete 'Crime Scene Management' training

The five-day training was conducted at Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana, and was conducted in partnership with the American government which provided trainers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

 Participants were officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, intelligence and Fire Brigade, who partook in sessions on crime scene photography, biometrics, search methods, evidence gathering and more.

The Deputy Inspector General in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, who officiated the closing of the training, urged the officers to use their acquired skills and knowledge to perform their tasks efficiently and promote peace in Rwanda.

Mobile Police Station Vehicle continues journey to Kirehe

The RNP Mobile Police Station Vehicle continued its countrywide tour in Kirehe District on March 18 where it spent three days collecting complaints from area residents. About 200 people lodged cases on injustices faced.

Suspected criminals apprehended

At least 20 people suspected of being behind varied illegal and criminal activities were arrested across the country. They include drug dealers, thieves, those behind environmental related crimes and vendors or makers of fake currencies.

Campaigns to engage the general public in tightening and ensuring own security in their communities, also continued across the country.