Residents of Gicumbi District queued up in Rubaya Sector to file their concerns at the Mobile Police Station Vehicle, as it started its tour of the district, on Thursday.

The mobile services are reserved for citizens residing or working in places located far away from police stations. A mobile police station goes to remote villages in a bid to extend the police services to all citizens.

Police officers also use this moment to sensitise the public on security issues as part of its community policing strategy.

Among those that filed their cases with the police through the mobile facility is Clamance Kemasi, who lodged an inheritance complaint claiming that she won a case against her siblings during a hearing held before the local mediators, but the decision was never implemented.

"Mediators gave me what rightfully belonged to me but their decision was not enforced; I took my case to the Ombudsman who requested the mediators to clearly define the boundaries of my land but this too is yet to be enforced,” said Kemasi.

Police officers advised local leaders to look into the matter and ensure that the Ombudsman’s decisions are reflected.

The majority of cases filed at the Mobile police station include land disputes, domestic wrangles, and gender based violence.

Police also used the opportunity to educate residents about the effects of environmental destruction, with Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Gasana telling them that illegal mining and deforestation have gross negative impacts on the environment.

"Illegal mining can result in disasters like deadly landslides; also, holes that are formed out of illegal mining sometimes claim the lives of children who innocently play around them,” said CIP Gasana.

The mobile police station is one of the Rwanda National Police innovations to improve service delivery.

Figures from the Police indicate that the truck that has an in-built office and counseling area has since December last year handled 1031 cases. They include, 401 criminal cases and 624 civil cases.

About 91 cases were registered in Nyamashake District with 91, 80 in Ngororero and 77 in Gisagara.

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