The Police High Council convened on Tuesday, November 12, at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru to further devise strategies in line with the evolving policing landscape.
The Council, which brings together the RNP leadership, heads of departments, units and commanders, is the highest management and decision-making organ that provides guidelines in the fulfilment of the RNP responsibilities.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, while opening the Council, said the Police professionalism, sacrifice in service to support community development, have continued to make Rwanda a safe and secure country.
“Rwanda National Police is evident in emergency response services such as floods, fire and road accidents. The government will continue to support your service to Rwandans,” Minister Biruta said.
He added that discipline lays a firm ground for professionalism. “Some Police officers have been implicated in cases of indiscipline leading to their dismissal. To those who chose the right path as professional officers, maintain the spirit, advise and support each other to uphold the core values of the institution,” the minister said.
The government, he added, will continue to support the RNP in its capacity development, including facelifting Police stations, acquiring modern equipment, and training.
“As we come to the end of the year, as accustomed, Rwandans in different parts of the country will be in festivities celebrating the end of the year. There will be music shows and other events that must be held in the usual safe environment,” he emphasized.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) CG Felix Namuhoranye, said that the Police High Council will assess the security situation, the RNP operations in peacekeeping and force discipline, among others. In evaluating force discipline, he added that the Council will also assess police officers, to be dismissed from the institution due to grave indiscipline and misconduct.
He commended the government support in this journey of building the capacity of the institution.
“Due to globalization, the work of the Police requires distinctive skills and capabilities to effectively counter the emerging security challenges related to cross-border and transnational organized crimes, cybercrime and terrorism, among others,” IGP Namuhoranye said.
In order to move with the trend, the Police Chief highlighted that the RNP has prioritized training both in and outside the country, acquiring high-tech equipment, and working with other institutions.
On road safety, he said that the force will continue to lay more effective strategies to curb road carnage, adding that this requires partnership and ownership by all road users. “We appeal to all categories of road users to observe traffic rules and regulations to make our road safer for all and prevent loss of lives,” IGP Namuhoranye said. (End).