The two-day training, which concluded this Friday, October 29, at the National Police College (NPC) in Musanze District, was conducted by RNP in partnership with Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

All the trainees are District Police Civic Education Officers (DPCEO).

The two-day training focused on the protection of environment in accordance with the international standards on hazardous substances and wastes, according to Patrick Umuhoza, a Multilateral Environmental Agreement Officer at REMA.

He said that the officers were selected because of their role RNP plays in human security activities including protecting the environment but also as the institution in charge of environmental law enforcement and working with the community every day.

“Police as an institution in charge of enforcing laws including those established to protect the environment, requires continuous training of its personnel. This training was, therefore, organised to enlighten international laws and agreements on environmental protection. This training brings both institutions to the same understanding against environmental degradation," Umuhoza said.

He added: “We have been seeing banned products such as plastic bags and other outlawed chemical products and substances being sneaked into Rwanda. Police is at the forefront in fighting these criminal acts. So, it is important that Police officers remain updated on local policies, regional and international treaties to save our ecosystem."

Commissioner of Police (CP) Bruce Munyambo, Commissioner for Community Policing Department in RNP emphasized that the force will continue collaborating with REMA in upholding environmental protection standards.

CP Munyambo urged the trained to be catalysts in natural conservation through awareness on best environmental protection practices and forging strong partnership with the people to fight practices that degrade nature.

Trainees were also reminded on the environmental degradation acts such as illegal mining, arson, poaching, building in wetlands and use of plastic products, among others.

The two-day training was conducted by RNP in partnership with Rwanda Environment Management Authority.