From today Monday, 30th September 2024, at the Police Training School in Gishari, the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), is hosting a 5-day community-based policing workshop for private security companies and park rangers.

The workshop aims to equip participants—namely park rangers and private security personnel—with essential skills in physical security and stockpile management (PSSM), ensuring that arms and weapons under their care are securely managed and do not fall into the wrong hands.

CP (Rtd) Vianney NSHIMIYIMANA, Head of Small Arms and International Cooperation department at the Ministry of Interior, emphasized the importance of training in the proper management of weapons. He noted that the initiative to reduce the prevalence of weapons requires collaboration from all parties to achieve its objectives.

"We invited them because they are among the legal weapon holders and are closely connected to the community. The security of these weapons is as much their responsibility as it is ours, which is why they are included in this training," he explained.

He also highlighted that in Rwanda, individuals must undergo rigorous training before being authorized to carry weapons. For instance, employees of security firms like ISCO and personnel in various parks are first trained by the Rwanda Police and other qualified personnel. In addition, thorough assessments are conducted to ensure that those entrusted with firearms are reliable and responsible.

ACP (Rtd) Damas Gatare, Director of operations and programs at RECSA, emphasized the significance of such training in preventing the misuse of weapons. He added that other African nations should take note of Rwanda’s approach to security management by increasing training and professionalism within their forces.