Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Turkey National Police (TNP) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in varied policing disciplines especially in areas of capacity building.
The two Police institutions renewed the commitment when Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza visited Turkey.
IGP Munyuza was in Turkey for a three-day visit since February 26, at the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Dr. Mehmet Aktas purposely to enhance the existing cooperation between the two police forces.
IGP Munyuza and the Director-General of TNP, Dr. Mehmet Aktas, and their delegations held a bilateral meeting in Ankara, which was also attended by Rwanda's Ambassador to Turkey, William Nkurunziza.
"During the bilateral meeting, the two friendly institutions recommitted to continue working together mainly in various areas of training like counter-terrorism, Special Forces, anti-smuggling and fight against organized crime," Commission of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, RNP spokesperson said.
IGP Dan Munyuza with his counterpart of the Turkey National Police, Dr Mahmet Aktas. / Courtesy
Other areas of training include Traffic Management, Marine, Aviation Security, Crime Intelligence and Command and Control.
The two police forces agreed to constantly share information against terror and international criminal networks.
The Turkish Police Chief also agreed to honour an invitation by IGP Munyuza to visit Rwanda later this year.
During the visit, IGP Munyuza and his delegation visited Turkey Police Academy, Special Operations Headquarters and Training Center, Turkey National Police Aviation Department, Forensic Laboratory Department, Counter-Narcotics, Anti-smuggling and Organized Crime Department and Turkish International Academy against Organized Crimes (TADOC).
They also toured the Counter-Terrorism Department, Dog Training Center, Police Command and Control Center and Traffic Management Center.
They later visited NUROL MAKINA machinery and company industry, which manufactures armored vehicles, water cannons; and Ivmeihs Company that manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used in police operations.
Rwandan and Turkey police officials pose for a group photo. / Courtesy
In 2015, the Governments of Rwanda and Turkey signed security agreements to reinforce the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Also signed in the same event held in Ankara, was a memorandum of understanding between Police institutions of the two countries to cooperate in areas of training, focusing on counter-terrorism, cybercrimes, Special Forces training and Training of Trainers (ToT) courses, among others.
The security pact between the two countries rested much on strengthening partnership in areas of capacity building, sharing of information on combating transnational and organized crimes and exchange programmes, among others.
RNP also signed about 40 bilateral and multilateral MoUs with other Police institutions and organizations.