EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA — The Police and Managers of several banks in Rwamagana district last wednesday convened a meeting to discuss mechanisms to minimize security lapses in banks. The meeting was held at Rwamagana district offices. It brought together various public officials and heads of several banks in the district. ‘This meeting helps bank managers to exchange views on how they can minimize security lapses,’Vice Mayor in charge of Finance, Jean Baptist Ndanyuzwe said. Citing example of some banks that had recently fallen victims of robbery , the Vice Mayor said that extra vigilance meant to ensure security of banks have to be crafted so that such incidences of robbery can be curbed. The District Police Commander (DPC), Superintendent Bertin Mutezintare assured representatives of the banks of collaboration from the police in undertaking cash in transit and other forms of support. He called for greater forms of information exchange between banks and police for consistency in security. He added that police will stage patrols within locations where banks are situated. ‘It is our role, we have to put mechanisms in place so that banks can be secured’, Mutezintare asserted the bankers. The DPC also said that they will work closely with private security companies to ensure that security guards deployed to banks are vetted as credible security personnel. He also advised banks to desist from engaging local defense units as part of their security measures saying banks needs better forms of security systems. The DPC advised banks to use modern methods of ensuring security like alarm systems and installation of close circuit cameras within banking areas, noting that such systems help in identification of suspects and carrying out of investigations. ‘Such measures are not very costly, banks can comfortably afford these new systems’, he pointed out. Ends
