Cabinet this week approved and confirmed promotions within the Police Force; among them was Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gohonzire, who was promoted to Deputy Commissioner General of Police. Gahonzire has served the Police Force in different capacities over the years. Not only does she have the necessary experience, she carries with her the vision to ensure that the Police provide Rwandan citizens security. She has been making headlines for different reasons, which range from the anti-corruption and Gender Based Violence campaigns to the fight against illegal brews, normally imported from neighbouring countries.
Cabinet this week approved and confirmed promotions within the Police Force; among them was Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gohonzire, who was promoted to Deputy Commissioner General of Police.
Gahonzire has served the Police Force in different capacities over the years. Not only does she have the necessary experience, she carries with her the vision to ensure that the Police provide Rwandan citizens security.
She has been making headlines for different reasons, which range from the anti-corruption and Gender Based Violence campaigns to the fight against illegal brews, normally imported from neighbouring countries.
The Rwanda National Police has gone through a major transformation as compared to the pre-1994 Genocide against the Tutsi period, where one could not differentiate between police and common criminals. Criminality was part of service.
This has changed now, with strong anti- corruption mechanisms in place, the Police has slowly restored its integrity. As some would say trying to bribe a Rwandan Police officer is tantamount to handing oneself in jail, for they will not take any bribes.
Other areas the Police is excelling include partnering with communities in crime prevention and reduction. Again as the latest statistics released show, crime has reduced in most areas, such as armed robbery, currency counterfeiting, illegal drugs and breaking and entering.
While the Police has achieved the above, they must not rest on their laurels, basking in the glory of the above successes. Their motto must be vigilance, because the Police force is about constant service, to people.
Criminals will always find innovative ways of beating the system, and Police must always be in the knowhow of how to beat them at the game.
This also means investing in the Police officers, by equipping them with the necessary skills, to be able to beat crime. One such area is in Information Communication Technology (ICT), the country’s security will in the end by and large rest on this.
Kudos, to Gahonzire and the rest of her team, our security and that of our property is in their hands.
Ends