The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel K. Gasana, has called on private security companies to adopt standard operating procedures as well as maintain high levels of professionalism as they conduct security duties.

IGP Gasana made the remarks yesterday, during a meeting with representatives of 19 local private security firms operating in the country, at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Headquarters in Kacyiru.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, DCGP Dan Munyuza.

IGP Gasana advised managers of private security companies to encourage professional conduct among their employees and ensure strict code of discipline to make their profession credible and reliable.

"Although you are profit-oriented, the quality of operations you conduct must ensure safety and security of the people you serve and their property, and provide your guards with the necessary outfits and tools that they require in their day-to-day operations,” IGP Gasana said.

"Your companies should have a mission statement, a vision, a motto and logo for clear identification, and ensure that your security guards have basic training before they are assigned duties that are paramount in ensuring the security of your clients.”

The Police Chief also reiterated RNP’s support to the professionalism of private security firms, through provision of training to both security guards and managers.

He noted that Police will soon conduct four types of trainings – including; a basic course for security operators; advanced course for leaders, a specialised course and a training of trainers course.

Robert Kashemeza, the General Manager of Topsec Security and chairperson of Rwanda Private Security Companies Association, hailed RNP for its support and steadfast guidance, which has helped to propel their professionalism over the years.

"In private security business, we have several challenges such as lack qualified personnel - but we have been trying our best over the years –I am hopeful that regulations and standard procedures will always be observed in order to modernise our activities,” Kashemeza said.

"We will continuously extend our partnership and collaborate with RNP in ensuring that we play our part in the country’s security to promote peace and sustainable development.”

It was also agreed during the same meeting that the private firms will soon hold a two-day retreat in order to discuss initiatives to promote partnerships and enhance professionalism of the sector.