160 police officers return from Haiti

A contingent of 160 police officers under the Formed Protection Unit (FPU), Friday, returned from a nine-month UN mission in Haiti. The FPU was deployed in Haiti on a UN request after the Caribbean nation was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which claimed over 200, 000 people and left millions homeless. Part of the officers’ duties while in Haiti, were to control the crowd, distributing aid in Internally Displaced Persons Camps and also serve as a protection force for the UN staff. Chief Superintendent Egide Ruzigamanzi, who was heading the contingent, said that their mission in Haiti was successful. “We executed our nine month duties well as assigned and our police officers exhibited utmost discipline and commitment to their duties,” Ruzigamanzi said. He further stated that the Rwandan contingent taught the Haitians how to carry out community service (Umuganda), an activity the Caribbean country have now adopted. Sergeant Abdul Ngoga, who is also back from Haiti, said he was glad to have represented his country , in the UN mission. He urged their successors to equally maintain discipline and continue to raise Rwanda’s flag high. The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana, expressed his appreciation to the returning officers for having served faithfully. “Our police force will continue to work with other countries and institutions to curb crime and apprehend wanted fugitives,” Gasana said. He added that sustainable development can’t be attained without security and good governance. ;FPU1 was also involved in maintaining law and order as well as supporting the country’s post-conflict reconstruction process. The contingent includes 60 officers who were awarded with a “Certificate of Completion” for their outstanding performance in crowd control, basic, intermediate levels in firearms and basic Police Techniques. Presently, the Rwanda National Police currently has 416 police officers serving in various UN missions, notably in Sudan, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Haiti. maria.kaitesi@newtimes.co.rw