Rwanda National Police has come of age to win public trust and the force has reassured the public of their safety and that of their properties.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday September 29, the Police spokesperson Chief Supt. Celestin Twahirwa said that the force is vibrant and keeps adopting new measures to cope with the policing environment needs.
He made the remarks during the event of handing over stolen items that were recovered by Police, to rightful owners, during which he also reacted at the recently released 2015 Gallup Global Law and Order Report.
The report released last week ranked Rwanda the safest country in Africa where people feel safe walking alone at night.
“For Rwanda to have such a conducive and secure environment, several security agencies including Rwanda National Police and the public, work tirelessly to ensure that,” said CSP Twahirwa.
“Why not? With this ranking we can’t afford to be less than this measure of professionalism and it gives us courage to work even harder.”
“We ensure that we work in partnership with all public and private institutions, and the general public. This partnership which has seen communities adopting community policing strategies like night patrols, Neighbourhood Watch and timely information sharing shape the way to safety,” he added.
“There are times when people encounter cases like petty theft and house break inns,but more often than not, those involved are arrested due to the bond that exists between security institutions and the public”
This has been witnessed by both locals and foreigners, who have not only enjoyed the safety but also have testimonies and stories to tell about Rwanda’s security.
According to Anthony E. Chima, a Nigerian investor and Managing Director of Orient Hotel, who is among those that collected their recovered items, such reports attests the security mood he has experienced in Rwanda.
“My house was recently broken and my television and laptop stolen, but with the effort of the hard working police men, both items were recovered. Rwandan security agencies are the light to security we all enjoy here,” said Chima.
A German national, Joshua, who preferred to be identified by one name, is also among those whose stolen electronics were recovered.
“We made a deliberate decision to come and invest in Rwanda as a country that stands out among others in offering a safe ground for doing business,” Joshua, an investor who is currently starting up a business of importing electric motorcycles to Rwanda, said.
“From what I have witnessed, the security in this country is top notch, I commend them (security organs) and I hope they will keep it up.”
Gallup’s Law and Order Index is a worldwide measure that gauges people’s sense of personal security in their neighbourhoods and their personal experiences with crime and law enforcement.
According to the survey, Singapore topped the international poll with an overall Law and Order Index of 91 percent, ahead of Hong Kong, Norway, Spain and Rwanda in that order. Rwanda and Spain are tied on 85 percent.
The security in Rwanda is not only appreciated by foreigners, locals also speak so highly of their safety and the agencies they work with on daily basis to maintain safety.
Sandrine Uwamahoro, who also received her recovered television set, said RNP’s close working relations with the citizens reassures them of their safety and well being.
“Our security agencies are on the lookout at all times; anyone who is walking around will see police and military personnel on streets, these men are charges with ensuring our safety. In a situation someone loses something, they won’t rest until they find it. A case in point is my television that has been recovered, three years (2012) after it was stolen. They don’t give up and until we are served,” she said.
Recently, a Kenyan Senior Pastor, Michael Nieswand was full of praises for RNP after his stolen vehicle was tracked down by the Rwandan Police as it entered into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it had been sold.
“My Landcruiser was stolen in Nakuru (Kenya) by armed robbers, who exported it to Congo (DRC). Immediately when one of the thieves crossed the border to Rwanda, the highly professional and faithful RNP arrested the thief, rejected his attempt to bribe them and recovered my vehicle. I am very humbled and grateful, and express my heartfelt gratitude to the most excellent RNP,” Nieswand’s message reads, partly.
In a March this year, Gallup metrics also ranked Rwanda among the best places to live, emerging top in Africa and 15th globally
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