Community policing playing vital role in current improved security, Gatare says

The improved security situation in the country is largely due to the vital role played by the general public to identify and address security challenges in their localities through the proactive community-based policing, Police spokesperson Damas Gatare has said. ACP Gatare was yesterday speaking on a talk-show at Telecom House and aired live on the national television and radio. “The rationale for community policing lies in the fact that Police alone cannot maintain communities safe; it requires concerted efforts of the community,” Gatare said. In October 2007, a law setting up Community Policing Committees was put in place and the committees were established at the sector level to identify security issues and consequently find solutions. Currently, there are over 74, 000 members of CPCs across the country. “Rwanda National Police, therefore, put in place Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) at each sector to monitor and coordinate the activities of the CPCs and the result is the level of security the country is enjoying today,” he added. The latest report on level of crime in the country indicate that it reduced by 5.7 per cent between January and June. This continued decrease, he said, is partly due to the role of the community to identify and apprehend suspects and even report anything that is likely to affect their wellbeing. Despite the general crime downward trend, illicit drugs, theft and assault remains major incidents registered in the country, Gatare said. “Members of Community Policing Committees are given regular trainings on enhancing health care, ensuring security and crime prevention and reporting crime incidences in time,” he added. Phones for coordination Gatare also said more than 2000 members of CPCs have been given mobile phones to ease communication and that mobile Police stations have also been introduced for quick intervention, where necessary. He also said a campaign dubbed, “Turn Back Crime,” jointly spearheaded by Interpol and immigration to combat cross-border crimes, is ongoing. ACP Rogers Rutikanga, the Central Region Police Commander, urged the public to beware of conmen and always report suspicious cases in time. “Security starts with you where you live and walk, and what you hear,” Rutikanga said. Superintendent Jean Marie Ndushabandi, spokesperson for traffic and road safety, also cautioned motorists against breaching traffic rules. Traffic accidents reduced by 43.8 per cent in the last six months. Ndushabandi said speeding, reckless driving, overtaking in dangerous places like corners and driving while on phone were the major causes of road accidents. He also warned the public against tinting car windows, adding that such vehicles are sometimes used to commit crimes.