Officers from Rwanda National Police and the media fraternity have committed to enhance their partnership in serving the interest of the public. They made the commitment at the end of a three-day workshop on safety of journalists, freedom of expression and public order” held at the police headquarters. While closing the workshop, the commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege reiterated the importance of partnership between the police and the media in policing. “From the resolutions of this workshop, it is clear the police-media relations are enhanced. On behalf of RNP, we are committed to ensure that we collectively work with the media to serve the interests of Rwandans,” he said. ACP Badege added that RNP has enhanced community policing and public relations to reassure general public, working closely with the media is an added value in that respect. He further stressed that the world today is interconnected through technology; and information is shared faster than it was before. “This means crimes have no borders – a criminal can sit in one country and coordinate crimes in another; the noble fight against organised and cross border crimes is a responsibility for all.” The workshop that drew 45 police officers and 30 media practitioners resolved to coordinate and harmonise the work of both the media and the police in protecting journalists against threats they face especially while investigating organised crimes and corruption. They also agreed to develop a code of conduct or operational procedures defining how the Police and journalists can work closely in serving the public as their shared goal, conduct periodical workshops to evaluate their progress. The workshop was jointly organised by Rwanda Media Commission, Rwanda National Police supported by United Nations Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO). It provided a forum for honest and transparent dialogue between journalists and police officers exploring many relevant topics, including the role of the police in helping to ensure journalists can access the information they need, practical tools for journalists when covering conflicts, and guidelines around covering judicial proceedings among others. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
