Police issues fresh call on restricted movement hours

As the country continues to battle the pandemic of novel coronavirus, Rwanda National Police (RNP) reminds all residents of Rwanda to operate with in the limits of the issued directives and guidelines, and equally be on the frontline through maximum compliance.

While appearing on Waramutse Rwanda, a morning talk-show on Rwanda Television,  RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, observed that violations mainly include not respecting the time when everyone should be home as well as not wearing facemask.

“Like it was directed in the recent Cabinet Meeting of August 26, there were changes in movement hours; movements are now prohibited between 7pm and 5am.

It has been observed that some people have not adjusted according to this directive, but all relevant entities are working together to enforce and ensure that it’s respected,” CP Kabera said.

He observed that there are four groups of people in relation to compliance.

Those, who fully understand and comply with the directives as issued; those who understand and take responsive steps to facilitate the implementation and enforcement through awareness and information sharing on violators; those who comply because they are forced or penalised; and habitual violators who are penalised but fail to change their behavior.

“The better part is that those who comply and are responsive constitute the vast majority. We urge everyone to fall under this group instead of being forced,” CP Kabera said.

Road accidents

The spokesperson rejected claims that 7pm causes accidents, as motorists race against time.

“It’s not true; time doesn’t cause accidents, but rather individual character and actions leading to speeding and recklessness. Plan your day appropriately and retreat home by 7pm instead of racing against time, which is fixed.”

Use of force

While responding to concerns of the Police extreme use of force, which has been making rounds on social media platforms, CP Kabera said that “this is uncalled-for.”

“Police officers are held accountable, right from the one who, insult or verbally abuse members of community; refuses to give a service or respond to an emergency call; up to the one, who used excessive force in the course of their dity,” CP Kabera emphasized.

He added: “When extreme force is used, those implicated or responsible are held accountable after thorough investigations conducted jointly by RIB and the Police. Police officers are Rwandans like others and are not above the law.

When investigations indicate that the officer in question acted contrary to the law, they are prosecuted like any other citizen. So, such cases as those that happened in

Bigogwe, Nyanza, Karenge (Rwamagana), Kimisagara, Kiramuruzi, Zaza, among others, are being handled in the same legal manner.”

In relation to these shooting incidents, CP Kabera further took time to urge the public on good conduct towards Police officers when on duty.

“Do not fight the Police on duty; do not resist arrest when you are implicated or a suspect in a certain illegal doing; do not attempt to escape when arrested or when in detention; and stop when a Police officer instructs you to stop.”

In a general message, CP Kabera advised the public to respect the law and issued directives, plan their movements and programmes in line with the deadline hour of 7pm and align their activities with all the government directives meant to further prevent the spread of  COVID-19. (Fin)