ANA reports that on Friday the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town took the first crucial steps in implementing the Western Cape safety plan when the first 500 learner law enforcement officers (LLEOs) signed their employment contracts with the city.  

The first 500 LLEOs would be deployed from February to the communities where they were needed most, Western Cape community safety MEC Albert Fritz and mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said in a joint statement on Sunday.  In their first few months of deployment, the officers would undergo induction, which would include in-field training to orientate them in the communities where they would be deployed.  Thereafter, they would be operationally deployed, using a data-driven approach to reduce crime.  The second group of 500 LLEOs would be appointed by July 2020.  Ultimately, the Western Cape safety plan foresaw a total deployment of 3,000 officers, the statement indicated.  "More officers on the beat will mean a higher visibility and improving service delivery in our fight against crime.  Our responsibility is not only to take criminals off the streets, but also to protect the constitutional rights of our citizen – a right to a safe environment.  With no clear indication that the South African Police Service will increase resources soon, we will fill the gap and initiate programmes in the interest of public safety,” Smith said.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Independent News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page