SOUTH AFRICAN Police Services will now boast 13 trained drone pilots.
The officers consists of 11 male officers and two female police officers, and according to MEC for Safety in Gauteng, Faith Mazibuko, and these number must increase.
She promised to deploy an additional 144 drones.
The officers’ first task will be to assist in highly-congested settlements, like Diepsloot, says Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela.
“We appreciate every hard work you have done for us. You have done extremely well. It is good that you have worked hard to be qualified. You went through proper training, and your certificates are certified by civil aviation.”
“Your efforts will enhance smart policing or the e-policing in Gauteng. It has always been my vision to see policing advance and thrive towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” says Mawela.
Mawela, MEC Faith Mazibuko were joined by Fidelity group manager Morne du Toit in handing over the pilot certificates to officers in Midrand.
“Through our partnership with the private sector, we will ensure that the citizens of Gauteng are policed smartly. When we conducted our operations, Fidelity, as part of our eyes and ears, deployed their drone pilots to work with us.
“They have been carrying the costs. I asked them to assist in developing our officers,” said the Police Commissioner.
Mawela added: “We have a situation on our hands in Diepsloot. We deployed police officers there, especially in areas that are not accessible. We have, in the past, worked in the area, partnering with Fidelity, using their drones to see where we could not see and access the problematic areas.
“Those areas are Diepsloot Extension 1, 12 and 13. Those areas are not accessible by car. It isn’t good. Most crimes reported in the area are from those sections. Our drones will complement our 139 officers on the ground. Our members work awkward hours. Criminals don’t have a schedule. They work at any given time.
Gauteng is a province like no other in the country, continued Mawela.
We need to employ better methods to police and emerge triumphant. We have places that are densely populated. We have 700 informal settlements, where there are no access routes, he noted.
“Those areas have become a haven for criminals and syndicates in this province. We also have problems in our hostels. With these drones and your capabilities, it will be easy for us before we can deploy the ground forces. You will be there first. You will scout and see how the situation is for our officers on the ground.”
Mawela added that drones would also be used in big gatherings, like at soccer stadiums.
“In Diepsloot, we have deployed two CCTV cameras. We will deploy more resources to ensure that Diepsloot, Westbury and Eldorado Park have additional help. These are areas where people complain about crime.
“Drones contribute to smart policing as to how crime is tackled in the province. They will deal with crimes and their sophisticated tactics, and build a safer community. This affirms our commitment that crime has no position in our society.
“These drones will respond timeously to crimes. They must be operated safely and protect the privacy and safety of citizens. Don’t misuse them,” said Mazibuko.
“It would not only be more boots on the ground. We will now have extra eyes in the skies” says Mawela.
Image supplied (Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko, GP Police Commissioner Elias Mawela and Fidelity group’s Morne du Toit, at the ceremony awarding trained drone pilots with certificates in Midrand).
