One of the things that distinguish Rwanda from other countries, whether developing or developed, is our safety and security. As you hear regularly, our crime rates are low, our people feel safe, parents allow children to go out at night and come home late by themselves. Tourists and visitors feel safe too, and I have often heard people remark on how they find this is such a safe environment. Many people take this for granted. Yet all this was not achieved by chance. It took excellent leadership and hardworking men and women in blue uniform deliberately working together to achieve this remarkable feat. As a result, our nation stands as the greatest monument of human achievement. Whereas in many countries, both developed and developing ones, you cannot always tell whether the police are part of the solution or part of the problem. For example, if you look at the troubles in US states – Cleveland, Ohio, a 12-year-old boy gets shot, there is going to be a lot of trouble. Ferguson, Missouri – a young man was shot, grand jury says no case to answer. The place goes up in flames. Even in London, especially the non-white parts of London, relations between the police and the residents are fraught. How did we get it right? Simple: It is because of the Rwanda National Police. Or RNP. This article is a tribute to the officers and the men and women in blue for their professionalism, for their dedication, and their achievements, because they play a critical role in keeping our Rwanda safe and secure. Their role is different from the RDF. The RDF trains every day to prepare for war but I hope they will never have to go to war. But for the RNP, it is a 24/7 live operation, where every day, something can happen, every day something does happen. You are often confronted with situations where you have to make a call, and the call could mean the difference between life and death- the LPG situation yesterday was a case in point. There are thousands other situations that happen on a daily basis. To Protect & Serve with Honor Yesterday, early morning (5 AM) we had a dangerous accident. One of our LPG (cooking gas) trucks overturned. Gas was flying everywhere. It was the first time an incident of such a scale ever happened in modern Rwanda according to the officers on the site. The scene was scary mostly because there was gas everywhere. But after 10 hours of fighting with the situation, it was contained. RNP had deployed world-class equipment to the scene. It was almost like a show of might. The latest crane was on hand, brand new firefighting trucks, and above all, men and women in blue of all ages. They were at the scene in record time. This speaks highly about their readiness. Had this happened anywhere in Africa and quite frankly in most places in the world, lives and property would have been destroyed. It would have been a human disaster. Not in Rwanda. You see, when adversity reared its head in the form of this catastrophic accident, it was the RNP who stepped forward, swift and resolute. Despite the risk, they assembled, almost as if summoned by a higher calling. Every department, every rank, every brave soul rallied together with a single purpose – to protect lives and preserve property. Their commitment is a testament to the very essence of their oath – to protect and serve with honor. The scene was perilous, a location where time seemed to stand still. But in that moment, the RNP made time bend to their will. They moved with precision, their actions guided by a sense of purpose that transcended the ordinary. The RNP is a living testament to the spirit of Rwanda. I am forever grateful. Overall, it is fair to say that we have an outstanding Police Force – well-trained, disciplined, honest, and not corrupt. Able to deal with tough situations and crack difficult cases. Conclusion Rwanda is fortunate to have an outstanding police force, one that is well-trained, disciplined, well equipped, honest, and free from corruption. The RNP's ability to deal with tough situations and crack difficult cases reflects their unwavering commitment to keeping our nation safe and secure. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their continuous efforts, and they serve as an inspiration not only to our nation but to the world at large. I am eternally grateful. The author is an entrepreneur and economist.
