Rwanda National Police

Members of Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing (RYVCP) from Northern Region have been challenged on intensifying strategies against crimes.

The call was made on June 5 by the Northern Governor, JMV Gatabazi during a meeting with 134 coordinators of members of the youth volunteers from sector and district level held in Musanze in Centre Pastoral Notre Dame de Fatima.

The meeting was also attended by Region Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jean Baptiste Ntaganira; the coordinator of RYVCP in Rwanda, Abdallah Murenzi and distinguished officials in Northern Region as well.

In his opening remarks, the governor appealed to the youth to be defined by self-determination and practical partnership in the policing and the general transformation process.

“The future of our country is in the hands of the youth, you are the generation that will further determine the kind of life other generations will live, and this tasks you to ensure that the country is safe and secure for all,” Gatabazi told the youth.

He also said that “volunteering is a courageous act and the government is for the youth”.

ACP Jean Baptiste Ntaganira spoke at length about the community policing concept, and their individual role in contributing to national security.

“Youth constitute the biggest number of the population, and are mostly the ones who get involved in various crimes. You, the representatives are in a good position to help your peers avoid and prevent crimes. You interact with most of your age brackets, so you have to positively change them,” he said.

He went on to remind them that modern-day policing requires strong partnership, as well as mutual trust between law enforcers and residents, which are a necessity in building a longstanding foundation for sustainable security.

“The involvement of citizens in crime prevention is essential to ensuring that our communities are healthy and vibrant in all aspects of development. Each individual’s commitment to participate in an organized community policing initiative does indeed make an impact. Therefore, we encourage you to take a lead in this course,” ACP Ntaganira added.

The coordinator of RYVCP in Rwanda thanked the Police and Northern Province for the knowledge they acquired and urged his fellows to ensure they collectively enhance crime prevention in their neighborhoods.

Rwanda National Police continuously reaches out to the youth and has trained members of the RYVCP on crime prevention.

The organization is made up of high school students, university undergraduates, teachers and many young professionals countrywide. They support communities by carrying out the crime prevention awareness programs in schools and communities against drug abuse, corruption, gender and domestic violence, among others.