A total of 178 police officers, yesterday, graduated in various academic and professional disciplines at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District.
At least 30 senior police officers; 20 from Rwanda National Police (NPC), three from Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) and ten Allied students from seven African countries, completed a one-year Police Senior Command and Staff Course, which offers a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.
The Allied students are from Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Ethiopia.
The Master’s programme is offered in partnership with the University of Rwanda.
Meanwhile, 43 others graduated with Bachelor of Law, 33 with Bachelor of Professional Police Studies, 35 in Computer Science (option-Information Security) and 37 in Forensic Science.
The Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye, who presided over the graduation ceremony, held at NPC, congratulated them on their achievement.
He said that effective response to contemporary policing challenges associated with globalisation and use of sophisticated technology in the commission of crime, requires regional and international cooperation, sharing of experience, harmonisation of training as well as focus on programmes tailored to identify law enforcement challenges.
"Physical and intellectual preparation are fundamental to the proper discharge of the mandate to keep our countries safe and secure,” Minister Busingye said.
"The history of Rwanda and the journey that the people of Rwanda travelled before, during and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi taught us that peace, security, good governance, justice and development are indissolubly interlinked,” he said.
He added: "Well trained, professional and disciplined law enforcement agencies delivering according to international and constitutional principles of human rights and the rule of law always help achieve this nexus in a sustainable manner.”
The minister emphasised the importance of having a pool of officers who combine the strategic command dimension with the full academic understanding of national, regional and global peace and security dynamics to collectively respond to cross border and transnational organised crimes.
He pledged the government’s continued commitment and support to RNP’s capacity building efforts, adding that the ongoing restructuring of law enforcement agencies is being carefully implemented to strengthen their capabilities to stay ahead of security challenges.
The event was also graced by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, the Governor of Northern Province Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, Deputy IGP-Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, the Vice Chancellor of University of Rwanda, Prof. Philip Cotton as well as heads and representatives of security, justice and governance institutions.
It was also attended by the Deputy Inspector General of South Sudan Police Service, Lt. Gen. Pui Yak Yel, representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Rwanda, including the ambassador of Ethiopia and High Commissioner of Tanzania, as well as families of graduands.
Prof. Cotton, who conferred upon the students in their varied academic fields, recognised the support of their parents and families, government and sponsors, who sacrificed much and stood with them and the university throughout their studies.
"You have done well and you deserve to celebrate. Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of a more important journey in life. New beginnings in life are usually filled with hope for a better future,” Prof. Cotton said.
The Commandant of NPC, Commissioner of Police (CP) Felix Namuhoranye, said that the Police Senior Command and Staff Course equips selected senior officers with quality skills in strategic leadership and management, professional policing as well as comprehensive knowledge in peace studies and conflict transformation.
"The Senior Command Course was conceived, packaged and delivered with a view to building participants’ practical capacities and ultimately enabling them to fit in complex operational environments and effectively confronting the intricacies around today’s law enforcement challenges,” CP Namuhoranye said
The senior command course also include additional components; Level 7 certificate in strategic leadership and management offered by the UK-based Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Strategic Command offered in partnership with the UK-based College of Policing (formally known as Bramshill International Academy), and a Certificate of Senior Command and Staff Course.
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