The United Nations Policing Review Team on February 26 visited Rwanda National Police’s peacekeepers in Central African Republic (CAR) as part of the external review mission and commended the force’s professionalism and discipline.

The team headed by a former Police Commissioner, Mark Kroeker, was conducting its force review mission , a task they were given by the UN Secretary-General to look into the functions, structure and capacity of forces so that they present results in the forthcoming UN policing report.

Part of the review mandate in United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for Stabilization in Central African Republic (MINUSCA) Police Component was to better understand current mission environments and demands of field missions as a basis for determining how Police Division should be configured, staffed and resourced to effectively support their field components.

During their meeting with the peacekeepers, Kroeker thanked the work done by Rwandan police peacekeepers, especially for their professionalism and discipline in the mission area.

The review team particularly commended Rwanda as the important police contributing country for peacekeeping operations and the consideration given to female police officers.

Kroeker made his observations after the contingent commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Gilbert R Gumira, presented the mission status to the team.

In his presentation, ACP Gumira covered different aspects including operational capabilities, general security situation, area of responsibilities, routine activities, achievements, challenges and strategies to address them.

"The achievements include recovery of stolen vehicles, motorcycles, firearms, grenades and assorted ammunition , they were seized or handed over voluntarily by former militias.

The public order management operations, patrols, arresting criminals, static guard and close protection were all conducted in an appropriate and professional manner.” ACP Gumira said.

According to the team, the review they conducted is managed by the International Security Sector Advisory Team (ISSAT) at the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces.