About 260 police investigators attached to the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Criminal Investigation Department (CID) held their annual meeting on January 15 to review their performance in the last year and set new targets to further improve and support criminal justice. 

While officiating at the meeting held at the RNP headquarters in Kacyiru, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Emmanuel Gasana, thanked the officers for their outstanding performance in the past year but reminded them to stay on course and always be innovative to fulfill their mission and vision of the force and CID in particular. 

"This is a new year and it should be defined by more achievements, professional values and ethics while performing your duties,” Gasana said. 

He went on to highlight proper and accurate records, soul searching, knowing and upholding national values as other key areas of focus in their criminal investigations. 

The Police chief further outlined emerging and high impact crimes, force protection, and discipline, customer care, being knowledgeable and building a strong bond with all stakeholders in the policing sector as a "must know.” 

"You should also serve as the catalyst of national transformation in your field of expertise. RNP leadership is committed to supporting your work through capacity building, be it on-job training or career development,” said the IGP. 

He also reminded about the RNP zero tolerance to corruption emphasizing that any police officer caught in such malpractices is punished including being blacklisted and dismissed from the force. 

Prosecutor General Richard Muhumuza, who also attended the meeting, pointed out that the tight link between investigations and prosecution is very critical in delivering justice since the case files compiled during investigations form a basis for prosecution and subsequently for the judge to decide fairly. 

"I encourage you to keep developing your knowledge and skills in your field keeping in mind the changing form of crimes due to technological advances and social transformation,” said Muhumuza. 

The meeting was also attended by the Inspector General of National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) Jules Marius Ntete, Clément Musangabatware, the Deputy Ombudsman in charge of preventing and fighting corruption and related offenses, and the chairperson of Transparency International-Rwanda Marie Immaculée Ingabire, among others.  

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