Premier welcomes remarks by outgoing Provincial Police Commissioner that certain policing functions should be expanded to municipal law enforcement
Premier Alan Winde welcomes remarks made by outgoing Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General, Thembisile Patekile, that certain municipal law enforcement entities should have expanded policing functions.
The Western Cape Government has long called for municipal law enforcement agencies to be allowed to conduct certain policing functions.
The Premier said, “Lieutenant-General Patekile’s comments are encouraging. The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Western Cape remains under-resourced and relies on its partnerships with municipal law enforcement, such as the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP). While we will continue to support the SAPS in any way we can, we must continue discussions on decentralising policing powers such as the expansion of investigative powers and intelligence capabilities within metro police units. Local government law enforcement agencies already make a substantial contribution to crime prevention and operational policing efforts. Enhancing their capacity to support intelligence-led policing can significantly strengthen overall law enforcement effectiveness and crime-fighting capabilities.”
"We must do everything we can to improve and enhance crime prevention and fighting in our province. This includes building stronger collaboration and sharing policing functions. This is just one way in which we can combat crime better. Ultimately a complete overhaul of the entire criminal justice system is also urgently needed to increase successful prosecutions,” stated Premier Winde.
He continued that the residents of the Western Cape, particularly those in high crime areas who for too long have been under siege from gangs, deserve a different model of policing, one that brings police management closer to communities who need it and ensures that officers are directly responsive to the communities they serve.
Media Enquiries:
Regan Thaw
Media Liaison Officer to the Premier
Mobile number: 083 627 7246
Email: Regan.Thaw@westerncape.gov.za
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