Rwanda National Police (RNP) has said that it will reinforce and empower its Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) in its effort to effectively combat environmental-related crimes.

In an interview with Assistant Commissioner of Police Theos Badege, the commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID), under which the unit operates, he said that empowering the unit is crucial to have the ability and skills to confront environmental-related challenges.

"Environmental Protection Unit has been in force for the last six months and it operates closely with all stakeholders, including NGOs, concerned ministries, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, local leaders and youth groups,” said ACP Badege.

He added that it is tasked with higher responsibility of environmental protection, from law enforcement to participation in the preservation of environment through environmental education, practical interpretation of the environment laws to citizens and engaging in the public environment management awareness process.

"The specialised unit is set to conduct countrywide systematic mapping of environmental crimes – a study that would facilitate the unit to effectively conduct investigations aimed at combating threats to ecosystem.”

Currently, RNP is involved in revamping Nyabarongo River whose waters have been devastated by soil erosion, and according to Badege, although this is not a simple task, the force is determined to achieve it.

"We are approaching this issue right from the sources of tributaries as well as putting in place mechanisms like ensuring tree-planting and discouraging riverbed mining,” he said.

He also pointed out that contemporary policing requires addressing all issues that affect mankind before they happen.

Badege outlined illegal charcoal burning, illegal mining, bush burning, illegal timber business, use and distribution of polythene bags, waste disposal that contaminates water bodies and noise pollution as some of the common environmental crimes.

"Environmental crime threatens human health and natural conservation. Its complexity also poses a challenge to anyone who is into the preservation business, including environmental activists,” said ACP Badege.

Asked why police are involved in environmentally related issues, Badege said that Police is "charged with law enforcement and ensuring security for the people and their products, when environment is not preserved that’s when disasters like floods and hurricane strike, destroying properties and killing people.”

"To avoid such disasters and their effects, we have embarked on environmental policing but we do this with other agencies like Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, One-UN and other stakeholders,” he said.

He went on to add that environmental crime, including its links with other forms of crime, pose a serious danger for development, stability and security.

He, however, insisted that police are not enthusiastic about arresting offenders but rather insist more on public sensitisation.

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