The German ambassador to Rwanda, Peter Fahrenhotz has said Rwanda has one of the most professional police force on the continent which is a step towards the country’s quest of achieving middle income status.

Amb. Fahrenhotz made the remarks at the opening of a six-day training of 16 police officers in ‘fundamentals of intercultural competence and communication for policing’ taking place at Rwanda National Police headquarters in Kacyiru.

"I appreciate very much the good work of RNP and its officers. I have witnessed high dedication and commitment of Rwanda National Police. I also see a high degree of integrity and honesty among the police officers which is very important,” Fahrenhotz said.

"I have been to many African countries and I believe RNP is the best in Africa. If you look at the development of Rwanda as an ambitious country with its vision 2020 that leads the country to becoming a middle income economy…there is no doubt Rwanda will achieve its goals.”

 He related the intercultural competence training to Rwanda’s peacekeeping contribution.

"Rwanda being a strong supporter and contributor of officers and troops in peacekeeping missions, officers deal with locals in those missions whose way of thinking is completely different,” he said.

At the event, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in charge of Administration and Personnel, Juvenal Marizamunda pointed out that RNP recognises contemporary policing challenges in a world that is facing transnational threats such as terrorism, cyber crimes, human trafficking and drug dealing among others.

"It is evident that it’s only through cooperation that we can be able to handle such emerging crimes. Such cooperation involves forces from different countries, different backgrounds and culture since the world has become a global village, policing is taking place in an international and challenging environment,” said the DIGP.

The six-day training is aimed at rising participants’ awareness to other cultures, cooperating with foreign police authorities more effectively and with greater understanding as well as adding communicative solutions as an option for action in daily policing situations.