Rwanda Police Marks 15 years

President Paul Kagame and commander-in-chief of Rwanda Army and Police Forces inspecting a guard of honour during cadet officers pass out

Rwanda National Police Force on June 16 marked 15 years since its establishment and celebrated milestone achievements in ‘community-based’ crime prevention.

“We attribute our achievements in the last 15 years on good leadership and guidance from President Paul Kagame,”said Police chief Emannuel Gasana during celebrations at the National Stadium in Rwanda’s capital Kigali.

After a devastating 1994 genocide against Tutsi, which claimed over 1 million people, Rwanda established a police force to guarantee citizens safety and security.

According to Inspector General Gasana, “The force has demonstrated high level of professionalism within and outside Rwanda.”

Gallup poll rankings for 2014, indicated citizens have confidence in Rwanda National Police at 92%. Polls were made in 153 countries around the World,

Prof. Anastase Shyaka, CEO of Rwanda Governance Board said that a research by his institution indicated that “94% of citizens trust National Police.”

Internal Security Minister Musa Fazil told the audience; “Good cooperation has led Rwanda National Police to this level of professionalism depicted locally and across the globe in peace building.”

Currently, the Police deploys over 600 officers in different United Nations peacekeeping missions around the World since 2005.

Peacekeeping missions include Central African Republic; Haiti, Ivory Coast, Liberia; Darfur and Abyei in Sudan, as well as recent deployment in South Sudan.

According to the 2014 Africa Prosperity report, Rwanda ranked the eighth most prosperous country in Africa. The report also put Rwanda on the same position in rule of law and the least corrupt on the continent.

During celebrations, citizens paid tribute to the Force for spearheading development. In maintaining human security, Rwanda National Police contributed over Rwf1 billion ($1.3 million) in the country’s sovereign fund locally known as ‘Agaciro Development Fund’.

Under its theme of this year’s anniversary dubbed “15 Years of Partnership in Policing,” National Police celebrated its health initiative that saw 3000 vulnerable people offered health insurance, distribution of 4000 mosquito nets, among others.

Inspector General of Police pledged continued partnership with citizens. Currently under its ‘community Policing’ initiative, 14, 000 members of Community Policing Committees were formed across the country, while 1000 members of Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Crime Prevention and 810 Anti-Crime Clubs in schools were trained.