The National Police College (NPC) will on Monday hold its first ever symposium on ‘Peace and Security’ focusing on issues faced by law enforcement agencies and how to deal with them. The event to be held at the College in Musanze District will be held under the theme “Addressing Contemporary Peace and Security Challenges”. Commissioner of Police Christophe Bizimungu, the Commandant of the college, said the symposium was part of the training programme of the second intake of the ‘Police Senior Command and Staff Course (PSCSC). “The Symposium will serve as a platform for course participants to broaden their knowledge on theories of peace and security through presentations and discussions from invited speakers who will be talking on the challenges that face law enforcement agencies while addressing issues related to peace and security,” CP Bizimungu said. Twenty eight participants from nine regional countries are attending the second intake of the highest Police course which combines three Police components. The components are ‘operational staff work of police’ offered by Rwanda National Police, ‘strategic leadership and management,’ (level seven certificate), offered by the UK-based Bramshill Police College and a Master’s in ‘Peace Studies and Conflict Management’ offered in partnership with the University of Rwanda-College of Arts and Social Science (CASS). “While choosing the theme, the college aimed at exposing the course participants to the practical knowledge and experiences from various speakers in relation to the role the law enforcement agencies should play in addressing contemporary peace and security challenges,” Bizimungu explained. Key speakers include ministers Johnston Busingye of Justice, James Kabarebe of Defence, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana of Internal Security and other invited foreign peace and security experts. Unlike in the past where threats to peace and security were expected from physical violence such as armed conflicts, he noted, the contemporary era is marked by a wide range of structural violence which are likely to harm the safety of individuals and communities. “Though the magnitude of addressing contemporary Peace and Security Challenges requires the contributions of many actors, law enforcement agencies are the most challenged given the nature of their daily duties of enforcing the laws, safeguarding lives of people and their property,” “In their tour of duty, law enforcement members are always instructed to abide by the constitution and other laws. In fact, in handling issues like conducting investigations, handling media, managing crowds and rallies, law enforcement members have to respect liberties, freedoms and rights of individuals and associations and all these will be tackled during the symposium,” said CP Bizimungu.
