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The weekly review contains a roundup of major events that Rwanda National Police conducted in the previous week. These are therefore major activities that the force conducted between May 11 and 17.
President Kagame commissions 462 Police 'Officer Cadets'
President Paul Kagame, on May 11, officiated at the pass-out of the 7th intake of 462 Police 'Officer Cadets', who successfully completed a one-year course at the Police Training School (PTS) Gishari in Rwamagana District.
In a colourful ceremony attended by parents, relatives, friends and government officials, the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Rwanda Defence and Security Forces promoted the graduands, who include 51 females and 7 pilots, to the rank of 'Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP).'
President Kagame thanked the commissioned officers for the discipline and the zeal to serve their country adding that “this marks the beginning of your task ahead” to showcase their will, ability, knowledge they acquired and what Rwandans expect from them.
He reminded them that security is a priority for the nation, alongside development and well-being of Rwandans which falls under their primary responsibility as national police.
“You are not the first; you are joining others to work together for the good of the country as required.
“Rwandans must be able to take their security and safety for granted and the Rwanda National Police is one of those important institutions to ensure that Rwandans can take their safety and security for granted, it’s a must and you have been trained to exactly ensure that that is the case,” said the President.
President Kagame related development to safety of Rwandans and noted that there is no way Rwandans could run their business effectively without the police as a security and law enforcer.
“The skills acquired in such training should give Rwandans hope for their security, protect them from any harm, and ensure respect of the law. Being secure should be a right,” he said.
“Training or equipment can’t be enough. There is need for training, knowledge, equipment but all these are built on discipline.
He commended RNP for the “good and visible work” it has done and continue to do to ensure safety and security both in and outside the country where they are called to conduct peacekeeping operations.
World Bank MD hail Isange One Stop Centre
On May 15, the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the World Bank, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, visited and hailed Isange One Stop Centre as an excellent model which offers hope to victims of gender based violence (GBV) with efficient and effective assistance that they require.
"Offering quality and timely services to GBV victims is one important way that a country can instill the values of gender equality in the community. Isange One Stop Center provides such services for free and to all those who need. This is the nature of good governance that propels quality treatment and justice to the citizens,” she said.
“World Bank and Rwanda are good partners and we both believe in the values of socio-economic empowerment. The first step of empowering vulnerable people in society, including women and children, is by offering services that are vital, such as the ones offered at Isange."
Established at the Rwanda National Police Hospital in Kacyiru in 2009 with the support of the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame and One UN, the centre offers free services that include medical and counseling to victims of GBV while it also helps to collect evidence for the prosecution of offenders.
The centre also offers 24/7 free referral and specialized services like medico-legal, gynecology and obstetrics, mental health, legal and investigation, psychosocial, safe room and social integration services.
Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa, said that the center receives for at least 10 victims of GBV on a daily basis, indicating its valuable service to the society.
The centre has handled over 10,000 cases of GBV since its establishment.
IGP commend pilot graduates' resilience
Om May 13, the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana met and commended the endurance and hard work demonstrated by the seven officers who acquired their 'Pilot private license.'
This was during a meeting with the officers, who include one female, at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) headquarters in Kacyiru.
These pilots were among the 462 officers who successfully completed a one year 'Officer Cadet' course at the Police Training School (PTS) Gishari, on Monday.
The officers acquired a 'Pilot Private Licence' after a one-year training at Akagera Aviation school, prior to undergoing another year-long cadet course.
IGP particularly thanked the only female pilot in this group - Assistant Inspector of Police Miquerra Clementine Umuhoza - for setting the tone in the RNP gender empowerment process in all its units.
"Why not! You have demonstrated that what men can do, even women can," he said in reaction to her resilience.
As the force continues to form a strong airwing, he urged them to showcase same resilience and patriotic spirit in other pilot-related courses.
Training on use of Interpol security tool ends at NPC
In a bid to combat cross border and transnational crimes, Rwanda National Police conducted training of 28 personnel on how to use the 'Interpol Global Secured Communication System (IGCS)' commonly known as I-24/7.
The four-day training ended on May 15,at the National Police College in Musanze District.
26 of the participants were police officers while two others were drawn from Immigration and Rwanda Revenue Authority.
While speaking at the closing of the training, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Tony Kuramba noted that the world today is faces growing sophistication of transnational crimes such as terrorism, cyber crime, human and drug trafficking, which pose threat to public safety and security.
"It is imperative that we embrace and invest information technology solutions and we must keep training in the use of IT solutions, if we are to be ahead of modern criminals," ACP Kuramba said.
"In line with the government policy of embracing ICT, Rwanda National Police has invested in the extension of I-24/7 to our country's entry and exit points. The effectiveness of this important communication tool depends on how knowledge and skills you acquired will be put to use."
The tool connects all law enforcement agencies in Interpol member countries and allows investigators access Interpol’s range of criminal databases to search and cross check data on suspected criminals or wanted persons, stolen and lost travel documents, stolen motor vehicles, fingerprints, DNA profiles, stolen administrative documents and stolen works of art.
The course focus on equipping participants, who also include those drawn from Rwanda Revenue Authority and Immigration, with skills to detect false documents or imposters, facilitates real-time exchange of message and police data and screening of passengers for stolen and lost travel documents in order to identify wanted persons or those traveling on stolen or fraudulent travel documents, among others.
The officers are therefore expected to run the Global Secured Communication System (IGCS) which has since been extended to all border posts, in pursuit to combat such cross-border and transnational crimes.
Over 1500 students tipped on community policing
Police conducted separate awareness against crimes in schools in Bugesera and Karongi districts, where students were challenged to reinforce strategies laid to fight and prevent crimes in communities.
The anti-crime awareness campaign in Ruhuha and Nyegabo secondary schools in Bugesera and Karongi respectively, on May 13, is part of the Rwanda National Police continued sensitization in communities and schools, to strengthen the concept of community policing.
The exercise was also attended by the schools administration and parents.
The discussions focused mainly on fighting use and sell of narcotic and illicit drugs.
While speaking to students of Nyegabo, Inspector of Police (IP), Jean Baptiste Rutebuka reminded them to desist from such malpractices and explained to them the repercussions involved, including arrest.
Students were also taken through common drugs like cannabis, illicit gin like kanyanga and other locally made illicit brew, and laws punishing those caught in the act.
Under article 594 of the penal code, any person who, consumes, injects, inhales, anoints him or herself with or makes any other unlawful use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf500, 000.
Under the same article, anyone who unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500,000 to Rwf5 million.
Combating drugs abuse is among the RNP priorities.
