More than 60 Rwandan youth living abroad visited Rwanda National Police (RNP) on Tuesday, July 11, as part of the “Rwanda Youth Tour 2023” to learn about their country and to explore available opportunities.
At the RNP General Headquarters in Kacyiru, the youth were received by the Commissioner for Community Policing, Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, who gave them an insight on the Police history and strategies in peace building and national development through community policing.
He explained to the youth about the RNP mission and vision as well as activities and priorities of police in and out of the country where Rwandan Police officers are serving in peacekeeping and security operations.
“The involvement in the Genocide by the defeated security forces led to people’s loss of confidence in law enforcement agencies. There was a need to adopt a more people-centered policing approach in order to rebuild the community’s trust in the newly established law enforcement agency,” CP Munyambo said.
The RNP, he said, is founded on strong partnership with the public in crime prevention.
“This partnership has contributed in developing a mindset change both among the community and police officers on the collective role in developing the culture of peace and security,” he added.
CP Munyambo mentioned about the Police mission, which combines professionalism, service delivery, community engagement and human security activities.
“The RNP activities are not limited to the Rwandan community alone; they are exported to other countries where it contributes to peacekeepers, where we donate blood, distribute clean water to communities, participate in Umuganda, health, hygiene, environmental and children protection activities,” CP Munyambo said.
He urged the Rwandan youth living abroad to be policing and security ambassadors.
Sheja Vaillant, a student in Belgium, who is visiting Rwanda for the second time, reacted to the impact of the Police and security organs in general, for making people feel safe in Rwanda.
“What I have seen here in Rwanda is that people are not afraid of the police but feel safe with them… they know that there will be no harm when the police is around which is different from other countries where a police officer tells you to pull over, most of the time you become scared not knowing what is going to happen. Here in Rwanda, the Police even partners with the public in certain activities,” Sheja said.
He continued: “This tour will help us to know more about our country, it is an honour to come home to the people we share culture, heritage and history. Every Rwandan who lives abroad should know that they are welcomed here in Rwanda.” (End)