BURERA - The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanue Gasana, yesterday urged Community Policing Committees (CPC’s) to forward information related to criminal incidences, on time,

Gasana made the call while addressing 460 CPC members currently undergoing a civic education course at Nkumba, in Burera District.

The IGP emphasised that giving the information on time is important in Police’s efforts to reduce and prevent crime.

The two-week workshop aims at sensitising CPC’s on how best they can contribute to avert crime.

"Policing is a partnership and your role in this partnership is paramount because thieves, drug dealers and other criminals live within your communities,” Gasana said. "It is, therefore, important that you share information about their activities with police so that crimes are prevented”.

He further urged the participants to master the art of effectively communicating crimes, by including the what, who, where, when, why and how factors while reporting cases.

Participants were also urged to uphold and support government policies such as Girinka, and eradication of thatched houses (Nyakatsi ) among others.

"You should not allow anyone to undermine the country’s culture, development plans and socio economic welfare prospects,” Gasana said, adding that this can only be done through ensuring security.

The participants highlighted the challenges they face, including lack of communication materials.

The IGP promised to evaluate the effectiveness of CPC’s and look into the possibility of providing them with mobile handsets.

Valentine Ndatimana, a participant from Byimana Sector, said that the training will equip them with better skills to carry out their work.

"The training will help me to detect and report crime and also sensitise the youth to abstain from criminal activities,” Ndatimana observed.

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