Community policing committees (CPCs) should disseminate information faster in order to facilitate their collaboration with Police to identify and solve security problems in time.

Dan Ndayambaje, Gasabo District Police Commander, who was meeting members of CPCs from Remera and Kimironko sectors on Wednesday, community policy has become a salient tool in crime prevention and fighting.

The meeting was aimed at training CPCs on efficient communication methods, as well as to deliberate on how best to encourage the public to become active allies in the effort to enhance security.

"Community policing has many positives. The emphasis on making community members active participants in this initiative is pivotal in enhancing the quality of life, thus community members should mobilise support in the form of providing timely and efficient information to help Police solve and prevent crimes,” Ndayambaje said.

"A foundation of trust must exist to form close relationships between Police and the community in order to produce solid achievements.”

Ndayambaje told participants that community policing encompasses a variety of practical and strategic approaches, which the public can utilise to address wide-ranging challenges in their localities.

"Other than reporting to Police on a timely basis, residents can also spearhead sensitisation campaigns and tell fellow residents about the dangers of crimes like child abuse, gender-based violence, drug abuse, among others,” he said.

"Through community partnership and problem solving, we can, together, ensure the sustainability of our country’s achievement and set up a strong base for current and future development.”

The movement toward community policing has gained momentum in recent years as Rwanda National Police and community leaders search for more effective ways to promote public safety.

About 140,000 members of CPCs have so far been trained across the country.

Another component of community policy is the District Administration Security Support Organ, an agency that replaced the former Local Defence Forces to reinforce security in decentralised entities.

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