Police, districts to strengthen community policing drive

Rwanda National Police has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eastern Province districts, to strengthen cooperation to prevent and combat crime.Addressing mayors, and police officers at the ceremony last week, the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, said the MoU will reinforce accountability for effective community policing.Community policing is both a philosophy and an organisational strategy that allows the police to partner with the community to address crime, and disorder in the community.The IGP, who took time to reflect on the progress of Community Policing Committees (CPCs) in the country, said the partnership between the police and the districts was expected to be one of the most successful in maintaining security in the country.He said communities in districts would work together with more commitment than ever to prevent and combat crimes.“Police need to balance effective crime control strategies with an equal appreciation of how citizens are involved. Strengthening CPCs thus will work out the basics. We are going to sign such MoU with all districts in the country,” Gasana said.Gasana noted that the MoU sent a message that involving all members of the community was important to reduce crime.“Every year, we prosecute between 8,000-10,000 people. This shows a gap in crime prevention. We can reduce court’s work load, by enlightening people on a number of crimes committed due to ignorance,” Gasana said.The IGP pledged to train and develop the capacity of CPCs in the country, adding that high performing districts will be rewarded. “We have so far trained 90,000 members of CPCs in the country and we are going to continue. CPCs excelling in security maintenance will be facilitated with vehicles,” he pledged.Odette Uwamariya, the Governor of Eastern Province, said local leaders enjoy good relationship with the police.She, however, urged the police to facilitate grassroots leaders operating in big cells with transport.“CPCs have been instrumental in curbing drug abuse, alcoholism, and domestic violence. This MoU cements the already existing good working relationship. We need to address the issue of transport in large and sparsely populated villages,” she said.CPCs have been at the forefront of combating marijuana trafficking.