A total of 97 female Police officers who returned home last week after successfully completing a one-year peacekeeping mission under the United Nations African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (Unamid) have been commended for their professional conduct and discipline exhibited during their mission.

Addressing the officers at the Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru, yesterday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana commended them for being "good ambassadors,” maintaining the "Rwandan pride and spirit” and keeping their country’s flag high.

The officers acted as mentors and advisers to the local police force, especially in the areas of gender and domestic violence prevention.

The IGP urged them to use the acquired skills to contribute to national development.

Gasana also informed them of the Force’s plan to partner with other regional and international police forces to combat cross-border and transnational crimes.

Rwanda maintains about 500 police officers in eight peacekeeping missions in Mali, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Abyei, Haiti, Liberia, Darfur and Sierra Leone.

Rwandan police and military peacekeepers have been widely recorgnised for their professional services in various missions.

The Rwanda Police peacekeepers have also initiated and supported various community development programmes in their areas of operation.