KIGALI - IN a bid to strengthen security coordination and information sharing with private security agencies, police have resolved to improve partnership with them by training their guards as well as sharing important information that can lead to tracking down criminals.

Speaking to the heads of several security companies operating in Rwanda yesterday, the Commissioner General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, said that sharing of credible and timely information with security companies would ultimately improve the security framework of the country, especially against terrorist attacks.

"The National Police is capable of tracking criminals that may undermine our security. So sharing this information with security companies will empower their capacity to further strengthen the country’s security,” Gasana said.

He also advised the owners of the security companies to develop contingency plans, especially in the areas of intelligence and security, to make their companies more credible and sustainable.

"We are thinking of holding a seminar with security companies to brainstorm on the current terrorism threats that have affected our neighbors like Uganda. Although we are currently under no security threat, we should be in position to prepare ourselves against any perceived threat in the future,” Gasana added.

Johnson Kyanga, the Chairman of Rwanda Security Industry Association, the umbrella body for security companies, commended the proposed partnership and said that the association had been formed recently to improve information sharing amongst the companies.

"Most of our guards don’t know what to look for when they are searching people with regards to terrorism, especially in areas like hotels and other public areas. Through this partnership, we will be able to get quality guards who have been trained on how to curb terrorism,” Kyanga said.

There are currently 11 security companies registered in Rwanda Security Industry Association.

Ends