Police challenged to reduce accidents

RWAMAGANA-The Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harerimana, yesterday, urged the police to devise efficient ways of enforcing traffic laws and regulations to reduce road accidents. Harerimana made the call during a pass-out parade that saw the commissioning of 1,912 new graduates into the Rwanda National Police and 306 prison warders. The Minister added that a well coordinated road safety strategy must be formulated and effectively implemented to contain the tide of avoidable but persistent road accident casualties. “We have managed to reduce the ratio of police personnel to the population to 1:1,000...the increase of police officers is meant for positive change. The force has a collective responsibility to ensure that the roads are safe and user friendly,” he said. “Police has recorded enormous achievements...issue of relentless road accidents must end. We can’t keep a closed eye to the accidents. Enforce the laws and punish irresponsible and reckless drivers.” The Minister, however, told hundreds of people who graced the function that the overall goal of the force will be achieved ahead of schedule. “By 2015, Police should be able to know any crime happening anywhere in the country within a minute...Police will also be able to arrive at the scene of crime in less than 30 minutes after the crime is committed.” The Commandant of Gishari Police Training School, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Bruce Munyambo, said that the skills the newly graduated constables acquired were enough to make them professional officers. The Police pass-out was the seventh of its kind. Ends