KIGALI - The Belgian government, through the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC), has given the Rwanda National Police (RNP) 36 cars and 82 motorcycles, worth more than Rwf 600 million.

The donation will help the force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) enhance operational capacity.

According to officials, the equipment was provided within the framework of the "Project to Support Crime Investigation for Fair Administration of Justice and Good Governance,” a project co-founded by Rwanda and Belgium.

The project aims at  harnessing the capacity of CID in detecting, investigating and preventing crimes in a professional manner, according to international standards and with respect of the law.

Jean-Yves Saliez, the BTC Resident Representative, noted that the project is a four-year intervention estimated at over Rwf 3 billion.

He noted that the project has previously conducted series of trainings for CID police officers in various aspects of tactical and forensic investigations, police intelligence and information.

Specialized training of trainers and some advanced degree courses have been provided to ensure sustainability of skills development within the police force.

At the handover ceremony held at police Headquarters in Kacyiru, Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, explained the value of the equipment.

"This is a very important contribution and we are ready to deliver a safe environment, free from injustice,” Gasana said.  "I am confident that by the end of this four-year project, a lot will have been achieved.”

Saliez underscored that more officers will be trained this year.

"The implementation of what has been learned cannot be achieved without equipment and that is why this project was effected,” Saliez added.

Previously, BTC provided crime investigation support equipment including software for the photo studio of Kigali Forensic Lab (KFL), a professional forensic laboratory and crime scene kits.

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