Thirty-one senior police students from African countries currently attending the fourth intake of the ‘Police Senior Command and Staff Course’ at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District have started a week-long study tour aimed at linking theories to realities on ground.

The officers are from Burundi, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Namibia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda, the host.

On Monday, the students started their study tour at the Office of the Ombudsman where they were received by its Permanent Secretary, Xavier Mbarubukeye, who briefed them on the operations of the that institution in the fight against corruption in Rwanda.

They later visited National Itorero Commission where they were received and briefed by its chairman, Bonifance Rucagu.

The study tour is part of the one year course that covers both academic and professional aspects.

"The highest rated police course aims at imparting to participants knowledge and skills in relation to Strategic Command and professional policing, Executive Leadership as well as Strategic Management,” Commissioner of Police (CP) Felix Namuhoranye, the commandant of NPC, said.

The course also offers a Masters degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Transformation.

"After students are equipped with theoretical knowledge, they go out to make a comparative analysis of the practices on ground. So, during this study tour, officers will visit 15 institutions in the sectors of justice, governance, security, foreign policy and economic development,” CP Namuhoranye added.

"These internal visits are expected to culminate into Africa study tour for further comparative studies and analysis,” he noted.

This course, he said, is very important because it trains officers at a strategic level and provides them with ability to influence security policies in their respective countries.

It also helps improve their understanding of the evolving policing landscape.

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