KIGALI, Rwanda
The Rwanda National Police has admitted they have a big task to showcase to citizens that justice is being served in regard to police officers suspected of using excessive force while on duty.
In recent months, there have been a number of
incidents where some police officers have shot people while on duty in
different parts of the country, an issue that has stirred a public outcry
especially on social media among Rwandans.
While speaking to the national broadcaster,
Jean Bosco Kabera (pictured above), the Police Spokesperson admitted that it has been observed
that some officers have individually used excessive, unnecessary and uncalled
for force on duty, and a number of them will be prosecuted.
Unfortunately, he said, the Rwandan citizens
are not aware that justice is being served concerning such officers, and so,
police now have a big task going ahead to showcase to the people how they (the
officers) are being tried before the law and the outcomes of their cases.
“When such things happen, police officers are
brought to justice. We now have a big task as police to showcase how they are
being prosecuted, how their cases are faring before the law, and the final
outcome. I think citizens have questions about this,” he said
Regarding the recent cases of use of excessive
force by police, Kabera gave examples of officers that are facing the law.
Among these, he said one policeman who shot people in Nyanza in March is in
prison from where he reports to court for his case.
Another officer who beat a Rwamagana citizen is
also in custody (citizen later died in hospital); while one who shot a resident
of Ngoma is also in custody and investigations are going on.
Kabera said that the information citizens get
concerning such issues should not just stop on knowing that the officers were
arrested, but rather should go further into the process.
He condemned the use of excessive force by the
individual police officers, saying this should not be misinterpreted as the
picture of the entire police force.
He added that police are mindful of the conduct
of its officers, not only in regard to discouraging such criminal acts; but also
holding them accountable to observing general discipline while on duty.
“Police punishes misbehavior of its officers
from those that use excessive force to those who fail to observe general
discipline for example those who refuse to give services to citizens or speak
badly to them,” he said.
He however, asked Rwandan citizens to respect
police, reminding them that no one is allowed to fight a police officer.
Use of excessive force by police has been quite a topic in the recent days, where even President Paul Kagame commented on it, and promised a solution to such concerns.
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