RWAMAGANA-President Paul Kagame, yesterday, commissioned 489 police cadet officers, 59 of them female and 35 prisons officers, in a colourful ceremony at the National Police Academy in Gishari, Rwamagana District.

The President said that he has no doubt the training the officers underwent has equipped  them with the skills and discipline they need to fulfil their obligations which is ensuring security for all Rwandans and their properties.

At the ceremony attended by senior government officials, military and police top brass, diplomatic corps and relatives of the graduates, the Head of State called on the officers to carry out their duties as professional officers who received the right training.

He commended the leadership of the National Police and the National Police Academy and whoever played a role in the training, noting that it is the first time in the country’s history, that prisons officers have received professional training and the rank that comes with it.

"This is a big step in our efforts to set up a standard national correctional service that rehabilitates Rwandans caught on the wrong side of the law and resettling them back in the society to have them play a role in nation building,” Kagame said.

He called on the Prisons officers to play a leading role in the country’s efforts to build correctional services that meet global standards since they have the right training.

President Kagame commended the police force for its extraordinary efforts to maintain order and security in the country, adding that the training given to officers will ensure a better job.

The Head of State said that when a National Police, anywhere in the world, is efficient and competent, the nation and its people become more law abiding and more peaceful, leading to a quick development process.

The President thanked partners who have supported Rwanda’s efforts to build a national police force and correctional services, adding that with continued support, a lot more can be achieved.

He noted that with this kind of support, a good police force does not only benefit Rwandans, but also other countries, citing the country’s prominent role in global peacekeeping.

President Kagame noted that Rwanda is the first country to have the largest number of female peacekeepers and one of the few countries in the world with a police force with a high percentage of female police officers.

With this kind of international appeal, President Kagame called on the new officers to continue exhibiting high levels of discipline, dignity and commitment to prevent anything that may disrupt national security.

The Head of State called on the officers to shun any practices that encourage corruption and urged them to be agents of the fight against graft wherever it is, beginning with themselves, as it is a cancer which affects development.

Once again, the President told the new officers that part of their duty is to work in a complimentary way with other government institutions and security organs, but most importantly, they need to work hand in hand with the people they serve.

He urged the officers to be innovative and creative in their daily duties, underscoring the need to be ahead in the use of ICT, especially that nowadays, most crimes have gone cyber and trans-boundary, hence the need for skills to deal with them.

President Kagame awarded the best 3 performing cadets, AIP Theophile Ndayishimiye who emerged the best cadet and cadet of the year, followed by Dativa Iribagiza, the 2nd best cadet and best female cadet and Damien Musonera, the 3rd best cadet.

According to the Commandant of the National Police Academy, Joseph Mugisha, 500 were enrolled in the cadet course, 11 could not be passed. 4 were discontinued on medical grounds while 7 were dismissed for misconduct.

It is the 5th Cadet Graduation since the establishment of the Rwandan National Police.

Ends