President Paul Kagame has promised a permanent solution to concerns on excessive use by some police officers in the line of duty.
Kagame made the remarks while addressing a press conference on Sunday 6th September.
Responding to a question on the subject, the President said that he had been following up on the issue and from his understanding, it was the actions of a few individual officers and not operational guidelines of the police force.
“I have learned that there have been individual excesses which I don’t attribute to lack of training. They have sufficient training, they have ability and commitment. This depends on individuals,” he said.
On learning about the issue, he said that he had instructed the leadership of the police adding that any officers found to have engaged in excesses will be held accountable openly. The transparency in accountability he said was necessary so as not to create a misperception that excessive force was police guidelines.
“We are going to see change, there is no need for that excessive force. Even when the one you are dealing with maybe a hardcore criminal the police are trained and knows how to deal with such a situation without applying excesses,” he said.
The isolated incidences he added should not tarnish the image of the Rwanda National Police which he revealed had also been affected by Covid-19 in the execution of their duties.
On managing the pandemic, Kagame said that all along, the government and citizens have made impressive efforts in managing the virus which has built confidence that the country will overcome and get past the hurdle.
With regard to Rwanda’s involvement and follow up on the vaccine and treatment being developed and tested, the President said the country is working with the World Health Organization, and other global institutions for advice on the way forward.
