13 December 2006
By Lucky Khumalo
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality plans to set up a metropolitan police department, such as those found in other major cities in the country.
A decision in principle will be made around February 2007 for the establishment of a municipal police department.
Wimpie Kruger, acting Business Unit Manager, said the main objective of the department would be to minimise threats to the safety and security of residents and visitors as a result of crime and road accidents.
Other objectives include the protection of the city council's assets and the maintenance of law and order through highly visible police patrols.
Laurens Schoeman, a spokesperson for the municipality, said a business plan would be submitted early next year, ahead of the decision in principle being made in February.
"A full business plan will be presented to the municipal manager in January 2007, after which it will be tabled before the mayoral committee and the full council for final decision," said Schoeman.
Howard Hans, manager of the municipality's Traffic and Security Division, said 1 000 police officers would be needed in the first year of operations for the department.
He said should if the traffic and security divisions were to be combined, the existing 207 traffic/security officers could be used as "a basis" for the municipal police department with a further 793 police officers.
According to the proposed staff model, it is envisaged that there will be a chief of police and five deputy chief commissioners.
Other ranks will include director, senior superintendent, superintendent, captain, inspector sergeant, constable and student/recruit.
It is envisaged that in the 2006/07 financial year, 200 officers will be appointed, a further 200 in the following financial year, 150 in 2009/10 and 43 in the 2010/11 year.
Spokesperson Cupido Baron said the establishment of the metro police in Nelson Mandela Bay would also contribute to its preparations for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
"The NMBM has resources at its disposal to provide for a municipal police department. The objective is in line with the establishment of peace and security before the 2010 World Cup tournament," said Baron.
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town all have metropolitan police departments who work primarily with traffic law enforcement.
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