SOUTHERN PROVINCE

MUHANGA — Over 91 local leaders drawn from different districts in the province have undergone training in community policing geared at crime reduction.

The four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) was sponsored by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), to equip participants with knowledge on the detection and prevention of crime.

At the closing of the training on Monday, at the Muhanga Women’s Centre, participants were encouraged to disseminate the acquired skills to other area residents in order to achieve the government’s goal of ensuring security for all.

Officiating at the closure, the Chief Superintendent of Police, Emmanuel Butera, who represented Mary Gahonzire, the acting Police chief, pointed out that detecting and preventing  crime in communities requires effort and full cooperation of residents and local leaders.

"This training is aimed at empowering communities to curb crime which can be attained with the full collaboration between residents and local leaders,” said Butera.

He added: "Cooperation between police and community is of paramount importance and residents have to own the community policing programme in order to attain the set goals.”

Similar training sessions will be extended to all districts in other provinces, aimed at creating uniformity in the implementation of community policies country-wide.

At the function, the participants resolved to address issues of insecurity in their respective communities.

They however, appealed to authorities to extend the duration of the training, suggesting four days were not enough for participants to be fully equipped with the required skills to detect crime.

They also appealed to authorities to routinely monitor and evaluate the implementation of the policies so as to rate their success.

According to Police officials, outstanding districts, communities and individuals in the implementation of the programme will be awarded.

Ends