In a strategic move to bolster its public safety infrastructure, the City of Cape Town has officially deployed a new 52-person-strong corps of civilian volunteers.
This initiative, years in the making, is designed to provide critical support services to law enforcement officers, freeing them up for more frontline duties.
The programme expands the City’s existing volunteer force, creating a new pathway for residents to contribute to community safety without ever wearing a uniform.
The unseen backbone
While uniformed patrols and roadblocks are the most visible signs of law enforcement, the machinery behind them relies heavily on administrative muscle.
This is where the new civilian volunteers step in, as their duties are squarely focused on support, assisting with administrative tasks and other support services, such as IT support, public outreach, and partnership programme coordination.
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In a statement, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, highlighted the critical nature of this support. He explained that the public sees officers on patrol, but these visible efforts are underpinned by extensive logistical support.
‘The public sees the officers on the road, doing patrols and roadblocks and pursuing suspects, but there is so much support work required to make it all happen, from ensuring that shifts are coordinated, vehicles are available and equipment is sourced and available for operational use,’ Smith said.
He noted that these volunteers ‘handle crucial administrative needs and reduce the load on permanent staff.’
This new corps is an extension of the City’s long-running volunteer programme, as the uniformed Law Enforcement Auxiliary Service has been operational since 2013 and currently has more than 250 members. With the addition of these 52 non-uniformed members, the overall volunteer complement now exceeds 300 people.
Official figures from the City of Cape Town show that this entire force ‘completed 18,896 hours of service’ in just the three-month period between July and September.
For residents inspired to contribute, the City has outlined clear criteria. Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a minimum of a Grade 10 qualification. They must also:
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Be of good standing with no criminal record.
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Not be an accused in an ongoing serious criminal case.
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Submit to an internal vetting process and a prescribed drug test.
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Successfully complete a cognitive assessment.
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Picture: Cape Town CCID
