Training of senior managers and investigators of private security service providers (PSSP) and security supervisors of Rwanda Federation of Taxi-Moto operators (FERWACOTAMO) started, yesterday, at the National Police College (NPC) and Police Training School (PTS) Gishari, respectively.

The concurrent training, conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP), seeks to strengthen the capabilities and professionalism of participants in their respective areas of security which supplements the overall policing in the country.

While opening the three-day training of senior managers and investigators of private security firms, the Commandant of NPC, Felix Namuhoranye, said RNP considers private security service providers as key stakeholders in the protection of people and property.

"The contemporary challenges faced by law enforcers in protecting people and property are becoming increasingly complex due to emerging crimes such as terrorism, human trafficking, money laundering, and this has reshaped the security landscape into a more complex setting that requires public-private partnership,” said Namuhoranye.

"Although the Police take the lead in solving crimes and ensuring security; partner agencies, including private security service providers, are sometimes the first to ascertain a crime and can take some lifesaving actions at the scene prior to the arrival of the police. You are a force multiplier in ensuring security.”

To realise this vital aspect of partnership, he said, RNP found it necessary to equip other players in security with required skills to professionally carry out their tasks.

The training – divided into leadership and management course for senior managers, and basic investigation course for investigators – seeks to harmonise standards across the board of private security services providers industry.

It will also cover other areas including awareness on terrorism and other organised crimes as well as tools to mitigate and investigate crimes.

Meanwhile, at PTS, a total of 224 security supervisors of the federation of motorcycle taxi operators started a two-week course on road safety, which is also aimed at encouraging them to provide timely information related to security.

It is in line with the agreement signed between RNP, Rwanda Cooperatives Agency and National Cooperatives Confederation of Rwanda in October, last year, to support  building capacity of cooperatives in areas related to security and exchanging of relevant information related to protection of cooperatives in the country.

The first batch of supervisors will be followed by another one composed of 223 , while at NPC, 20 more senior managers are also set to undergo the same training when the current one ends late this week.