Over 20 investigators from the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) region, yesterday, started a four-day ‘Fugitive Investigation Course’ to further enhance their capacity to track down criminals in the region.

The investigators from Kenya, Sudan and the hosts Rwanda, include police officers and staff of the immigration department and prosecutors.

Top on the agenda, is the use of the Interpol’s global communications system, known as I-24/7, which enables police in all member countries to request, submit and access vital data instantly in a secure environment.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Stanley Nsabimana, while opening the training, observed that fugitives, especially those who commit serious crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, terrorism, piracy and human trafficking, remain a serious threat to peace and security in the world, and the region in particular.

"No single country or police force can face the challenges of trans-national crimes on its own,” Nsabimana stated, calling on police worldwide to join hands "to ensure that there is no hiding place for criminals”.

"There is no doubt that the use of I-24/7 tool, promoting regional and international cooperation, will enhance the capacity of police forces in EAPCCO to track and apprehend fugitives,” he said.

Chief Supt. Tony Kuramba, the head of Interpol-Rwanda, said that the I-24/7 tool will be installed at all outlets, including the Airport, to help exchange information and apprehend criminals before they leave or enter the country.

Currently, the equipment is only at Police headquarters in Kacyiru.

"Participants will be able to understand how to use this machine, how to access Interpol data to exchange information with other police forces in the region, tracking and tracing fugitives wherever they may be, and helping one another in bringing criminals to justice,” Kuramba explained.

Other topics to be covered in the course, is the extradition laws, web fugitive investigation and investigating war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Ends