Rwanda National Police

Thirty Police officers from the Traffic and Road Safety department, on January 24, completed a week-long course on road accidents investigation.

The training of the second batch was held at Rwanda National Police (RNP) General Headquarters in Kacyiru.

It was conducted by RNP in partnership with Rhineland-Palatinate Police.

Commissioner of Training and Development in RNP, Commissioner of Police (CP) Robert Niyonshuti, while closing the training, thanked the trainers and trainees for the successful course.

He observed that road accidents continue to be of great concern worldwide and in Rwanda in particular, which requires effective response.

About 5000 road accidents occur in Rwanda every year killing more than 500 people.

"Traffic Police officers must be well equipped and skilled to be able to handle accidental investigation related issues," said CP Niyonshuti.

He added: "This training has come as an addition to enhance their knowledge and skills about road accident investigations."

He urged them to be professional and aim for quality services.

"Although we enhance road accident investigation, RNP strives to prevent accidents through awareness and sensitization of all categories of road users to influence safer choices on roads and to make it a culture," CP Niyonshuti said.

"This is why RNP is, of recent, actively engaged in Gerayo Amahoro campaign to prevent reckless behaviours of road users. We want an accident to be an accident not something caused by reckless and dangerous choices."

Road accidents reduced by 17% last year and down by 42% in the last four month, which was attributed to Gerayo Amahoro campaign.

Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Life Benjamin Mutamba and Police Constable (PC) Nirere Madine, one of the trainees, said they acquired a lot in the training, which will help them to perfect their duties.

"We gained a lot,  most importantly on collecting evidences on the scene of accident, conducting thorough accident investigation, the way we can interrogate witnesses and being able to put facts together,’’ AIP Mutamba said.
 
"When you are conducting accident investigation, it requires to mark the scene well; know direction where the motorist was headed. This helps you to conduct deeper, thorough and conclusive report," PC Nirere said.