Premier salutes Police for consolidating peace

Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi yesterday commended the Rwanda National Police for playing a central role in not only restoring law and order but also fostering peace and security following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Murekezi was speaking at the launch of a new Police Book, entitled ‘Policing a rapidly transforming post-genocide society; Making Rwandans feel safe, involved and reassured. Murekezi, who was appointed prime minister last week, also praised the Force for documenting the various policing models that helped in the country’s recovery, in the new book – first of its kind. The 278-page book, comprising six chapters, also highlights the process of rebuilding the police force in the aftermath of the Genocide, with the institution going on to earn unprecedent public trust and confidence. The book explains reasons, mode and extent of citizen policing and documents the achievements registered. “The police book explores the historical policing revolution in Rwanda with emphasis on the relationship between civilians and their compatriots in uniform. It examines the evolution of the policing structure, from the authoritarian paramilitary top down model used in the colonial and pre-Genocide times, to the new model that emphasises participation of ordinary citizens,” said the premier. “This new approach, with a principle of inclusion, where police play a facilitative and supportive role, was no easy task considering that the country was just emerging from the Genocide,” he added. The premier further commended the Police force for their cooperation with members of the public to contain emerging crimes that go beyond the country’s borders. “No wonder a 2012 survey put the public trust in Police at 94. 5 per cent,” Murekezi said. Explaining the inspiration behind the book, Commissioner of Police Felix Namuhoranye, who was part of the taskforce behind the book said they sought to answer a series of questions on policing the post-Genocide Rwanda. “There are questions that most people have been asking regarding restoring order after the 1994 Genocide. How was order restored after the chaos? How did normalcy return? What were the challenges and how were they overcome? What role does an institution like police play in social and economic transformation of a nation? We have attempted to answer these questions,” Namuhoranye said. The book’s sixth and last chapter focus on priority areas that the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, said have shaped their response to the increasingly modern and sophisticated crimes. Amongst the priority areas highlighted are; capacity building of the Force, discipline, establishment of crime reduction strategies, intelligence led policing and partnerships with government entities, the public and development partners in policing, amongst others. “Confronted with future challenges, RNP has rapidly transformed to match with new threats and trends. The next volume of the book will keep track of our policing strategies and achievements,” Gasana said. At the event Police award ed vehicles to four districts and one sector for their outstanding role in community policing. They include Rusizi, Burera, Ruhango, and Kirehe districts and Kinyinya Sector in Gasabo District.