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Kinyarwanda
Police acquires four new fire fighting trucks from MINALOC
On Thursday April 16, the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC) handed over four new firefighting trucks to Rwanda National Police (RNP) to boost its response to fire outbreaks at district and provincial levels.
The handover ceremony was hosted at RNP Headquarters in Kacyriu where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between MIINALOC and Police.
The MoU endorsed RNP to use and manage the firefighting trucks on behalf of districts.
The new fire fighting trucks will be stationed; Nyanza in Southern , Rusizi in Western, Musanze in Northern and Rwamagana in Eastern.
The hand over was graced by ministers; Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana of Internal Security, Francis Kaboneka of MINALOC and IGP Emmanuel K. Gasana, among others.
Minister Kaboneka said that the new understanding between MINALOC and RNP will promote the already existing partnership between the two institutions and also act as a platform for future cooperation aimed at improving lives of Rwandans.
IGP Gasana said that whereas most fire outbreaks are recorded within busy Kigali and it's suburbs the new trucks will enable Police to react faster to fire outbreaks in the rest of the districts.
The RNP Fire and Rescue Brigade was inaugurated in 2000 with only one fire truck, but the department now has grown to 12 modern fire fighting trucks including Bronto sky-lift vehicle with capacity to extinguish fires of up to the 20th floor of storied buildings. Its 55-metre hydronic ladder can enable trapped people to climb down from storied buildings or lift fire fighters to that hight to combat fires.
The force established a toll free number, 111, which citizens can call for emergency in case of a fire outbreak.
UN team inspects RNP's readiness to deploy 'Specialized Police Unit' in CAR
A team from the United Nations, last week conducted a five-day inspection of the readiness of the first ever Rwanda National Police (RNP) Specialized Protection Support Unit (PSU) set to be deployed Central African Republic.
The UN team from the departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support began the inspection on April 12, reviewing major contingent owned equipment that the unit will use while serving under the UN Multi-dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The maiden PSU contingent of 140 officers, which include 13 females, will increase the number of RNP peacekeepers in CAR to 285.
The new Unit is expected to compliment the mission by providing well trained and equipped RNP officers in VIP protection and other specialized police operations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jimmy Hodari, Commissioner for Peace Support Operation, said that the UN team seeks to evaluate the status of the PSU's Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) and the officers' operational capability to ensure that they meet the standard UN requirements before they are deployed in CAR.
RNP maintains over 600 police officers in eight UN missions - with 21 per cent of them female - deployed in Haiti, Mali, Darfur, Abyei, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, CAR and Liberia.
Judicial personnel train in human rights and criminal investigations
Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with the Legal Aid Forum (LAF), on April 16, commenced a capacity building training for station judicial police officers, station commanders and prosecutors on human rights and criminal investigations.
The training focused on upgrading knowledge of participants on human rights, and provide them with necessary interviewing and statement recording skills.
It will be conducted in phases throughout the country with facilitators from the Legal Aid Forum, until its conclusion at the end of this month.
During the official opening of the training at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru, which attracted 46 participants, ACP Theos Badege, Commissioner for CID, said that the training will cement the culture of observance of fundamental human rights among investigators, as well as, help improve officers' roles in helping both victims and suspects to understand their rights much better.
"Police seeks for excellence and effectiveness while conducting investigations in society, in a bid to emphasize its vision to make people living in Rwanda feel safe, involved and reassured," he said.
"Through the training, officers will improve their law enforcement capabilities, and also cement their role as primary justice providers and overseers of public order. This training will also help officers improve the quality of criminal case files and engage the public about their rights."
The Executive Director of LAF, Andrews Kananga, added that Police as a law enforcing institution is the first provider of justice and legal services, which requires officers to be equipped with knowledge and skills necessary to handle both victims and suspects with utmost professionalism.
Both RNP and LAF are engaged in campaigns aimed at improving access to Justice and human rights initiatives.
Since last year, LAF and RNP started training police officers on human rights, with the first series of trainings targeting Police Officers in Charge of Custody and Human Rights.
About 80 Police Officers were trained on pre-trial rights and other rights in general.
It is through such initiatives that RNP equips officers with relevant skills to propel their efficiency in delivering high quality services, accountability and transparency.
IGP challenges Village chiefs on community policing
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, while speaking to 440 Village chiefs from Gasabo district attending a civic education, Ingando in Kinyinya, on April 18, challenged them to reinforce the proactive concept of community policing which engages everyone in ensuring community safety.
While briefing them on the security situation in the country, which has improved due to the strong public partnership, IGP Gasana noted that each generation must have a mission and urged them to lead by example.
"Everyone should be an eye for the other so as to prevent crimes and be quick to provide any information on anything that causes insecurity in your Villages," he said.
He, however, commended the role of local leaders in the post-genocide peace building, and urged them to engage community members more so as to identify and report what is likely to hamper their safety and security.
He challenged them to desist and report any form of corruption and other forms of injustices.
Kwibuka21: IGP Gasana reassures sustainable security
As Rwandans continue the one hundred days of remembrance for the 21st time of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, residents of Rwamagana District gathered in Kigabiro Sector to pay tribute to those killed in and around Bibare, formerly commune Rutonde
The commemoration was also attended by officials from security and other public and private institutions, who laid wreath at a mass grave of victims in the area.
Jeanne d'Arc Muhawenimana, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, while speaking at the commemoration, reminded Rwandans that they are blessed to have a good leadership that strive for the peace, security and well being of all.
She noted that this focused leadership will also ensure that all those who had a hand in the genocide that claimed over one million lives, will be brought to justice.
The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, said that remembering is a "must" in order to preserve the tragic history and reinforce Rwanda's "Never Again" philosophy.
He urged survivors to strive to live adding that the effort and power that stopped the genocide have multiplied to ensure that such crimes against humanity never happens again and provide a crime free Rwanda.
"Those who want to take us back will fail because the effort that stopped the genocide that took our fellow citizens, have multiplied. We should all stand up against anyone with genocide denial or other ideas that would want to rewrite history," IGP Gasana said.
He further assured Rwandans and survivors in particular, of their security but challenged them to be active partners in this noble course.
"Security organs are there to ensure that you enjoy a secure and peaceful environment as you develop your families and the country."
He echoed that those who orchanstrated the genocide will be pursued to ensure that justice is served.
As Rwandans remember, he emphasized, they should strive for self reliance and engage on family and community development activities to further eradicate poverty in the country.
