Dr. Biruta Calls for Enhanced Focus on Youth and Technology in RNP’s Crime Prevention Efforts

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Vincent Biruta, met with the Rwanda National Police (RNP) leadership, heads of departments, units, and senior officers on Tuesday, August 27, at the General Headquarters in Kacyiru.

Dr. Biruta, who was received by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), CG Felix Namuhoranye, thanked the force for its professionalism in policing and for supporting the national development agenda through human security activities.

The Minister pointed out that despite the existing situation, the RNP has made a milestone to ensure the safety and reassurance of people in Rwanda.

He said, “As we look back to what the Police has achieved since it was established, let us continue to look forward to what more should be done to be ahead of the evolving security landscape.”

He emphasized the need to address the issue of delinquents, and school dropouts and invest more in technology and crime prevention.

“The numbers we have for community policing groups like youth volunteers in community policing and Agents of Change should add vibrancy in addressing challenges affecting the young people,” Minister Biruta said.

IGP Namuhoranye said that RNP is putting more effort into people-centered policing; working and supporting community policing groups as part of its community policing and human security initiatives.

Currently, there are over 1.9 million members of youth volunteers across the country, who contribute tremendously to many human security activities, including awareness against crimes; fighting drug abuse, GBV, child abuse, and fighting malnutrition. They were particularly instrumental in the implementation of the national directives to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Agents of Change (Imboni z’Impinduka) is also a group composed of rehabilitated delinquents, who graduate from rehabilitation centres. It is an initiative aimed at helping rehabilitated delinquents by providing coordination, orientation, monitoring, advocacy, and community support to contribute to crime prevention and advocate for their socio-economic opportunities.

IGP Namuhoranye also said that the scaling up of technology to different police services such as body-worn cameras and in-traffic-related services is meant to improve service delivery, fight corruption, work smart, and ensure transparency, justice, and accountability.