Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis paid a visit to the officers in their final stages of training at the City’s Observatory college on 24 July, together with Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
Cape Town is boosting safety with 700 new City Police Officers to be ready for a Spring deployment. The City is taking a major step forward in building a safer city. For the first time in the city’s history, every ward will benefit from dedicated neighbourhood policing, aimed at strengthening trust, visibility, and safety in communities.
Cape Town Boosts Safety with 700 New City Police Officers Ready for Spring Deployment
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, visited the recruits during their final training phase at the City’s training college in Observatory on 24 July.
“By this Spring, every ward in Cape Town will have its own dedicated neighbourhood police officer. These officers will build real relationships with residents, understand community challenges, and play a vital role in making our city safer,” said Mayor Hill-Lewis.
Comprehensive Training for Effective Community Safety
The 700 recruits have undergone an intensive 18-month training programme, equipping them with both general and specialised policing skills, including:
12-month Traffic Officer course
Metro Police and firearm competency training
Neighbourhood Safety Officer certification
Evidence-based and tactical policing
EPIC digital system training
Civic Academy education
Simulated firearms and bodycam training
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis paid a visit to the officers in their final stages of training at the City’s Observatory college on 24 July, together with Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
Historic Neighbourhood Policing Rollout Across All Wards
Each officer will be armed with an EPIC hand-held device to enable real-time digital policing, incident reporting, and seamless coordination. These tools form part of the City’s broader R800 million investment in safety technology, which includes bodycams, CCTV, drones, gunshot detection, and automated number plate recognition.
New Safety Deployment Plan Targets Crime and Extortion Zones
The deployment strategy not only includes neighbourhood policing but also escort teams for frontline service delivery in areas affected by violent crime and extortion. Additionally, the N2 highway will benefit from dedicated law enforcement patrols, ensuring safer travel along this vital route.
“These officers are a force multiplier in our ongoing fight against crime. With dedicated deployments, we are protecting both residents and our frontline workers in high-risk areas,” said Alderman Smith.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis paid a visit to the officers in their final stages of training at the City’s Observatory college on 24 July, together with Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.
City’s Growing Investment in a Safer Cape Town
The deployment of the 700 officers is part of the City’s ‘Invested in Hope’ Budget and complements existing crime-fighting initiatives:
Over 1,200 LEAP officers deployed in partnership with the Western Cape Government
Growth of over 1,100 new officers since 2021
Record R40 billion infrastructure programme
Smart policing tech is worth R800 million
Cape Town’s commitment to safety through innovative policing, smart technology, and community partnerships is paving the way for a safer, more resilient city for all.
Merentia joined the media world in 1996 and in 2001, she took her first steps in the broadcasting world. In her free time, she likes to go on adventures in the city. She also likes to learn new dances, not that she is any good at that.
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