KACYIRU - Rwanda National Police (RNP), yesterday began an exercise to award 7,000 police officers with medals for their outstanding service in the force at a ceremony that coincided with the force’s celebrations to mark its 11th anniversary.

The exercise began last year when President Paul Kagame awarded medals to five officers in and out of service, and requested that the exercise continues.

 The event held at the police headquarters in Kacyiru and presided over by Fazil Musa Harelimana, the Minister of Internal Security, saw about 23 officers decorated. The exercise will continue within different units.

 Among those honoured is the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Stanley Nsabimana, who was awarded with the Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

Commissioner for Criminal Investigations Department, ACP Christophe Bizimungu, Police Spokesperson, Supt. Theos Badege and CIP Rose Muhisoni, were also granted the Police Exemplary Service medal.

The exemplary medal is given to officers, for outstanding professional service.

Other officers were awarded with the Police Command Medals. They include ACPs, Emmanuel Butera, Jimmy Hodari, Faustin Karisa and John Bosco Kabera.

Formed on June 16, 2000, under the law No. 09/2000, RNP was created out of three institutions, which had a law enforcement mandate at the time.

They included Gendarmerie National, which was under the Ministry of Defence, the Communal Police, under the Ministry of Local Government and played the force’s administrative role and Judicial Police which was under the Ministry of Justice.

Harelimana commended the force for its general outstanding performance in executing its duties. He appealed to the decorated officers to uphold the exemplary performance.

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