A delegation from Zambia Police Service (ZPS) led by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) in Charge of Administration, Doris Nayame Chibombe arrived in Rwanda on Sunday for a six-day working visit aimed at strengthening policing cooperation between the two Police institutions. The delegation visited Rwanda National Police (RNP) on Monday, February 7, at the General Headquarters in Kacyiru, where they were received by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations (DIGP) Felix Namuhoranye for a bilateral meeting. The bilateral meeting was also attended by the Deputy IGP in charge of Administration and Personnel, Jeanne Chantal Ujeneza. DIGP Namuhoranye said that Rwanda National Police and Zambia Police Service have had tangible achievements since the signing of the cooperation pact. Rwanda and Zambia Police institutions renewed their cross-border cooperation in December 2020 when they reinforced their channels of Police cooperation and communication in combating transnational organized crime as well as exchange of information on wanted persons, property and exhibits, crime intelligence and training, among others. “Rwanda and Zambia Police have enjoyed cordial relations since 2015 and continue to share experience and expertise in ensuring safety and security of our people. Together, we have so far achieved various tangible marks that include reciprocal visits, establishment of channels of police cooperation on exchange of crime related information, fighting terrorism, drug and human trafficking, transnational organized crimes as well as skills development and training among others, DIGP Namuhoranye said. Their visit to Rwanda is also aimed at understanding the feasibility and management of private security companies in Rwanda. RNP is the regulator of private security service providers in Rwanda with a department charged with supervising the firms. Currently, there are 16 private security companies registered in Rwanda with over 23,000 personnel. On her part, DIG Nayame appreciated the way RNP manages and regulates private security companies, a strategy she said, they will adopt back home. “At the moment, in Zambia we do not have registration or regulations for private security companies but of course we have heard good experience here in Rwanda, you have progressed well in this sector, DIG Nayame said. “We want to learn from you because we realized that non-regulation of private security companies is a threat especially that this sector also uses firearms. Therefore, we are moving to a point where we need to regulate them; the kind of their uniform, the arms they are using and also move to the point of how they deploy,” she added. During their stay in Rwanda, the delegation will also visit separate infrastructures and security companies to get a better understanding of their day-to-day operations.
