Thirty senior Police officers from nine African countries, on Friday, completed a one year Police Senior Command and Staff Course (PSCSC) at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District.
The officers, who constitute the 7th intake, are from Central African Republic (CAR), Nigeria, Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Namibia, and hosts, Rwanda.
The graduation ceremony held at NPC was presided over by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, who conferred upon the graduands the title of ‘Passed Police Senior Command and Staff Course.’
The ceremony was also attended by the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Rwanda, Chiefs of Police; Lt. Gen. Adil Mohamed Ahmed Bashir, the Director General of Sudan Police Forces, Col. Bienvenu Zokoue, Director General Central African Republic Police, Lt. Gen. James Pui Yak, Deputy IGP South Sudan National Police Services, and Assistant IGP Patrick Obimo, commandant of Kenya Senior Staff College-Loresho.
Others include Major Gen. Jean-Bosco Kazura, the Commandant of RDF Command and Staff College, DIGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda, Commissioner General of Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS), George Rwigamba and Secretary General of Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Col. Jeannot Ruhunga.
Munyuza recognized the tireless efforts exhibited by the graduands in furthering their policing career.
"This is not a mere reception of accolades and honours conferred upon you but rather a fresh rejuvenated start to big tasks ahead in your service,” IGP Munyuza said.
He challenged them to put to use the acquired knowledge and skills to respond to security challenges of the time, anticipate future problems and plan as required.
The Police Chief observed that drug and human trafficking, terrorism and other human security challenges pose significant threats to the stability and development of nation states.
Considering the contemporary nature of human interactions that have transcended the limits of individual nation states, he said, cooperation is key in addressing all transnational and globalized crimes most of which are technology-based.
"I hope this course has not only been an opportunity for you to improve on your knowledge and skills at strategic command level but also an occasion to share experiences and good practices, as well as having a common understanding on contemporary policing,” IGP Munyuza said.
He commended the valuable efforts by the College in fostering partnership with Bramshill College of Policing and the University of Rwanda (Center for Conflict Management) as well as other stakeholders in building careers and professionalism of law enforcement agencies in Africa.
The Vice Chancellor of University of Rwanda, Prof. Phillip Cotton, conferred upon 18 police students the Master’s of Arts in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.
Cotton commended the students for the "impressive achievement.”
"You have the potential to change the world, and you are privileged to be able to address some of the most exciting and pressing challenges facing the world; security of migrant populations, cyber security and the ongoing need to protect young people and children,” Cotton said.
The Commandant of NPC, Commissioner of Police (CP) Christopher Bizimungu, said that responding to contemporary policing challenges require adequate knowledge in command functions and strategic leadership and deep understanding of the dynamics of conflicts and the evolving security threats.
"This is what prompted Rwanda National Police to initiate the PSCSC to equip participants with relevant knowledge in strategic command and leadership as well as good understanding of the concept of peace and conflict,” the commandant said.
The year-long course combines both the Police professional programme in command and strategic leadership and a master’s in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.
Top performers
Commissioner of Police (CP) Charles Peter Mutua from Kenya was awarded as the overall best student, Rwanda’s Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Edmond Kalisa came second while Superintendent of Prisons Alex Celestin Mugisha (Rwanda) was awarded for the best research paper.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com