HUYE – Police officers from the Southern and Western provinces, on Wednesday, commenced a two-day training course on environmental protection.

The training has been organised by the Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

Talking to The New Times, Chief Superintendent Damas Gatare, the in-charge of community policing in RNP, said that it is important for the law enforcers to understand environment related policies.

"We (Police) need, to understand these laws before we can enforce them. It is equally important for our Police officers to discuss environment issues and clearly understand what is expected of them,” Gatare said.

The training, organised under the directorate of community policing, is being attended by district police commanders, district community police liaison officers, judicial police officers and district intelligence officers.

Remy Nobert Duhuze, an official from REMA, stressed the need for equipping Police personnel with knowledge on environmental issues so that they are able to sensitise the population they work with.

He added that the main environmental crimes in the country include; encroachment on wetlands, pollution of water bodies, and lack of waste management.

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