Kinyarwanda
English
By AIP Frank TUMUSIME
As the Rwanda National Police (RNP) celebrates 25 years since its founding in 2000, one of the most significant areas of development has been in training. From a humble start with just one training school offering basic policing skills, the force has expanded into a highly professional organization equipped with modern facilities, specialized training programs, and international partnerships—all focused on preparing officers for today’s complex security issues.
“At the time of its founding, the Police mainly provided basic training to prepare recruits for general duties,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Barthelemy Rugwizangoga, the Commissioner for Training. “Over the years, we have broadened our curriculum to include specialized areas aligned with emerging responsibilities and global trends such as training for junior officer cadets, pre-deployment courses for peacekeeping missions, Special Forces and commando courses, marine and aviation security, counter-terrorism, firefighting, police driving courses, career development programs, advanced IT systems… among others that continue to grow.”
Then and Now: A Transformation in Curriculum and Capacity
In the early 2000s, training focused on crime prevention and basic criminal investigation. However, today’s curriculum reflects a more advanced approach. “We now cover cybercrime, community policing, digital forensics, and international law enforcement standards,” ACP Rugwizangoga added.
ACP Barthelemy Rugwizangoga, Commissioner for Training
Initially, the RNP operated with only one training facility—Police Training School (PTS) Gishari in Rwamagana District—formerly known as Communal Police Training. Today, it has three main institutions: the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District, Police Training School (PTS) Gishari, and the Counter Terrorism Training Center (CTTC) Mayange in Bugesera District.
The NPC offers professional and career courses, specialized courses and academic programmes. These include the Police senior and junior command and staff courses, tactical command course; Masters and Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation as well as post-graduate and undergraduate programmes.
The PTS hosts four training wings: the Police Cadet Course, Basic Police Course, Peace Operation Training Centre (POT), and the Specialized and Career Courses wing (SCC), which offers various career courses for active police officers and other courses upon request. Meanwhile, the CTTC Mayange provides specialized training in prevention and rapid response to terrorism threats.
These training facilities are not only more numerous but also significantly improved in terms of infrastructure and capabilities.
“The current state of the training centers, especially their infrastructure, has been renovated and upgraded to meet modern standards: For example, in the past, NPC could accommodate about 200 people overall (both teachers and students) and had only one undergraduate faculty because that was its maximum capacity.
Now, it has four different faculties and can accommodate at least 900 people (teachers, staff, and students) due to the increase in the number of classrooms and dormitories that have been built. The RNP is also constructing smart classrooms at NPC with digital sand models and digital map reading systems to support professional courses.
Bridging the Gender Gap and Building Professionalism
In terms of gender representation, the early years of the force saw low participation of women. However, over time, the gap has closed significantly.
“Today, men and women sit for police entrance exams in nearly equal numbers, and successful candidates—regardless of gender—receive equal training opportunities,” ACP Rugwizangoga said.
“There is a visible improvement in workplace conduct, performance, and ethical standards,” noted ACP Rugwizangoga. He attributes this growth to enhanced training programmes, upgraded infrastructure, technological advancement, and exposure through international collaboration.
Partnerships at Home and Abroad
RNP’s progress is not limited to internal development. The Police have established strong partnerships with both local and international institutions. Locally, trainees participate in career development courses at Gabiro Combat Training Center (CTC) and Command and Staff College (CSC) Nyakinama, which are military training institutions.
On the international front, Rwanda is both a recipient and provider of policing knowledge.
“We have had officers attend training in countries like Singapore, Turkey, and Egypt, and we have also hosted officers from countries such as Kenya, Somalia, the Central African Republic, Malawi, Lesotho, South Sudan, Namibia, and other African countries for high-level courses like the Senior Command and Staff Course, and peacekeeping courses,” explained the Commissioner of Training.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Police Training in Rwanda
With specialized academic programs like a four-year bachelor of Information Technology, which has already graduated over 200 police officers, the RNP has established itself as a knowledge-based institution. These officers now work across various departments nationwide, utilizing modern policing methods based on data and digital tools.
Computer Science and Information Security is one of the undergraduate programs offered at the NPC. Others include Law and Criminology, Modern Languages, and Professional Police Studies.
“We are committed to remaining adaptive and forward-looking,” concluded ACP Rugwizangoga. “Training is not static—it evolves with threats and societal needs. Our role is to ensure every officer is equipped, skilled, and professional.”
As the RNP reflects on 25 years of service, the progress made in training not only demonstrates institutional growth but also emphasizes Rwanda’s commitment to building a competent, inclusive, and technologically advanced police force for the future.
