Police officers acquire managerial skills

HUYE – Fifteen senior police officers drawn from the Southern region were on Saturday awarded certificates after completing a course in management.The course, which was conducted in partnership with the National University of Rwanda (NUR), opened in mid-September.The Police officers were trained in the areas of Information Technology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with a focus on GPS and managerial skills; with topics ranging from Human resources management, communication skills, planning and leadership skills).Speaking to The New Times after the ceremony, the Regional Police Commander, Chief Supt Elias Mwesigye, noted that the course was needed for the officers to improve the quality of work.He noted that the topics covered are in line with the daily work of police officers.“We, for instance, need GPS skills to map crime areas or accidents spots” he said.“The skills we acquired will add on the existing knowledge of our police officers to improve their work to the benefits of the society.”Mwesigye urged the beneficiaries to use the acquired skills to properly execute their duties and to pass them on to their colleagues.He commended the existing partnership between the University and the Police and noted that such courses will continue to be organised in the future.Prof. Manasseh Mbonye, the NUR vice rector in charge of academic affairs, observed that the course is part of the University’s commitment to serve the community.He noted that the Police force was offering a valuable work of guaranteeing people’s security and thus needed skills to make it better.“The more they are educated, the more they can do their job well and the more the society is secure”, he said.He noted that the university is still committed to helping police officers improve their skills in various fields.The course is the first of its kind to be organised for senior police officers operating in the Southern Region, according to officers.