Maiden police studies officers graduate

The first intake of 30 police officers at the Musanze-based National Police Academy (NPA), yesterday, graduated with Bachelor’s degree in social sciences in Professional Police Studies (PPS) programme. The officers were part of the 1,908 students who graduated at the Kigali Institute of Education (KIE). The four-year course is offered in partnership with KIE, Teesside University in United Kingdom and Rwanda National Police in the ongoing programme to have a professionalized and knowledge-based force. KIE opened the faculty of PPS at the police academy, four years ago, after it entered an agreement with the national police force. Chief Supt. Elias Mwesigye, one of the graduants explained that the skills attained will help them in their police work. “PPS encloses most of the core policing sciences; there is no doubt that as graduates of PPS we are going to meet the requirements the policing of today demands,” Mwesigye, who is also the acting Commissioner for Human Resource, said. Among the topics covered in the due course are; criminology, forensic science and criminal investigation. Prof. George Njoroge, the rector of KIE, commended the force for establishing the programme, which he said demonstrates commitment to effectively execute its duties. “As officers of the law, you have been given the power to recognize the human soul behind the persons who break the law and must be brought to book for the sake of the good of the society,” Njoroge said. He appealed to the officers to be compassionate, fair and work with integrity while executing their duties. In July, the national force also signed agreements with the National University of Rwanda (NUR) and Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) which will see the two institutions open faculties of law and ICT, respectively, at the National Police Academy. bosco.asiimwe@newtimes.co.rw