Fifteen members of Rwanda National Police (RNP) yesterday started a two-week training on criminal investigation which is aimed at sharpening their skills.

Mary Gahonzire, the Acting Commissioner General of Police described the training as very crucial in the capacity building process which the force has embarked on to promote professionalism.

"You never have enough capacity in investigation, because the nature of crimes committed also keep on changing,” Gahonzire said during an interview, mentioning the Police’s determination to always fight and overcome all sorts of crimes.

She explained that the training will mainly focus on investigating fraud, drug and economic crimes, which will allow participants to learn some basic principles of accounting.

Trainees will, once they pass out, be deployed in different training schools countrywide to share their expertise with fellow officers.

The Rwanda National Police has teamed up with the Anglican Church through the PEACE Plan programme to bring American experts who will facilitate the training.

Bishop Emmanuel Kolini the archbishop of Kigali Anglican Diocese explained that the Church should always work hand in hand with the Police, citing their respective missions of fighting crimes and protecting the community.

"We need to work as partners because our services go to the same people,” he said.

Kolini, who is also the Chairman Steering Committee of Rwanda – Purpose Driven Ministries/ PEACE Plan, said that the trainers were provided by the Saddleback Church [belonging to American Pastor, Rick Warren] that operates in the United States of America.

He explained that apart from enforcing the Police’s capacity in investigating crimes, the Peace Plan also aims at enforcing servant leadership, the fight against diseases, poverty and ignorance around the country.

According to him, the partnership between the Police and the Church in the fight against crimes is very critical in a sense that it helps the pastors become good policemen and vice versa.

"We need to see the results of our work, which is having people in our respective communities live without sins and crimes,” he explained.

A similar training was also opened yesterday in Gikondo, a Kigali suburb and it is focusing on fire fighting and rescue, and about 50 police officers are attending.

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