Day 5 of the Police Strategic Command Course in Rwanda 

Roger Gomm outlines how the Strategic Command Course students have prepared for next week’s three-day exercise, which is the keynote of their course; an opportunity to test all the elements of command.


The students have spent time planning and preparing an operation using the processes and structures examined during the week; looking at the strategic risks and impacts that the event could bring, considering the role and organisations needed in a multiagency planning group, developing the strategy and command structure, while recording key decisions, rationale and activity. 

I introduced the students to operation orders and the IIRMCH structure – Information, Intention, Risks, Method, Communications, Human Rights. This has been around for many years and still seems to be fit for purpose. 

Further pictures of life in Rwanda

The Banana is the second major food crop in Rwanda next only to beans. It is used both as food and cash crop. Small- scale farmers grow the crop all over the country.

In Rwanda, there are three types of banana: Cooking, dessert and beer banana. Most of the cooking bananas are eaten boiled. Besides food for humans, banana contributes to animal feeding such as banana steams, banana peels and banana leaves. Dried banana stems are used for handicraft products.

Bananas are processed into juice, beer and wine but the number of banana processing factories is still low. There is a rumour of a banana brewery nearby so Huw and I are off to investigate!

_{Bananas being carried to the local Muzanze market in the traditional African way spotted from our favourite lunchtime coffee stop, La Paillotte (Photo: Roger Gomm)}

Roger Gomm, CRJ Editorial Advisory Panel