A visiting delegation from the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Burkina Faso have expressed interest in adopting Rwanda National Police’s community policing programmes in fighting crimes, particularly corruption.

The five-man delegation expressed their appreciation after meeting with Commissioners and Senior Police officers on Wednesday at the Police headquarters in Kacyiru.

Speaking after the meeting, the head of the delegation, Dr Luc Marius Ibriga said, "we have learnt that, through community policing, RNP has built a robust feedback mechanism that enables the public to provide police with information on graft. We understand that this was made possible because people have trust and confidence in the institution. This is one of the unique and appropriate policies that we believe should be as well adopted.”

He added that Rwandans understand properly the dangers of corruption, which makes it easier to fight.

Dr Ibriga stressed that his delegation’s choice to visit Police was specifically based on their need to see how the force prevents and combats illicit enrichment.

"We wanted to also see how the Rwanda National Police fight corruption within the force and are impressed that the force conducts frequent checks on its officers…based on this, Rwanda is indeed in better position to fight corruption though we know it is a challenge,” he said.

Dr Ibriga observed that Rwanda is well known for its zero tolerance to corruption, which has been facilitated by such strict and strong measures.

We appreciate what Rwanda is doing and that’s why we have to pick lessons from their policies and strategies, he said.

The delegation was received by the commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Theos Badege and the commissioner for Public Relations, Media and Protocol, Assistant Commissioner of Police Celestin Twahirwa and several other officers.

During the meeting, ACP Badege presented to them what the Police has done in fighting corruption both within the force and in the general public.

"We have put in place measures to uplift the welfare of all police officers, be it at work or in their social life.

Besides, we continuously train our officers to improve their skills in investigating corruption cases, promote ethical conduct and uphold high levels of professionalism,” said ACP Badege.

"We constantly upgrade efforts to enhance corruption detection mechanisms and sensitise the public on adverse consequences of corruption. It will always be a taboo in Rwanda, and any officer caught in the crime faces the brunt of the law.”

The CID chief farther told the delegation that, besides the Police Disciplinary Unit, Anti-corruption and inspectorate of Services department that handle cases related to corruption within the force, Police also has a unit in charge of detecting and investigating public fund embezzlement under CID, it has police officers who are skilled in handling such cases specifically.

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