Editor,

I would like to thank our national police for the great role they play. However our dear officers sometimes use their offices wrongly just to acquire some favors from us (the citizens). I am a regular traveler who also happens to be blessed with a car therefore there are many times when a traffic police officer may raise his arm straight in the air, whistle and stop my car. 

It is however very disappointing to realize that the actual reason why this person or people have stopped me, is simply because they would like me to offer them (officers) or some people they are with, a lift to whichever destination they are heading to.

I know that we are people who are very accustomed to giving lifts to one another but must we always be stopped along the highway for such small reasons? Besides do the police provide any form of transportation to their officers? Or is it really ok for an officer to stop my car and suggest that I take someone along with me?

To be honest it can be kind of hard to tell them that it is not possible but in a way, many of us may feel insecure to say so! An annoying incident happened a few days back as I drove from Musanze and one officer stopped me. He did not even request but in an authoritative way demanded that I unlock so that he and his friend could sit.

I was travelling with a visitor who actually got so surprised at the way police here operates.
Someone should advise them on how to request in a polite manner. It is also not right to actually stop anyone for this particular cause.

Names withheld on request
Kigali