New Elite Police Force Created to Fight Crime in Johannesburg

The city of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Metro Police Department and the South African Police Service have collaborated to create a new elite police force to tackle crime in the city. Dubbed the Intervention Task Team, the police force will be a primary line of defense for major crime in the city, and will work in conjunction with the inner city's CCTV cameras.

Consisting of 33 officers, the unit ropes in 16 JMPD and 17 SAPS policemen. The officers will be on standby to respond to any crimes captured on the CCTV camera surveillance system monitoring the inner city.

"We have 216 cameras strategically placed to monitor the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said the JMPD's spokesperson Wayne Minnaar.

The group will support the other specialised units and crime-busting campaigns operating in Johannesburg, including Operation Nomakanjani, the vehicle inspection unit and the trio crimes unit.

Under the command of Mr Mashao and the JMPD's acting chief of police, David Tembe, the 33 officers will perform stop and search operations, will set up roadblocks, and will monitor liquor outlets.

They will be the first to be dispatched to crime scenes, and will work flexible hours using unmarked vehicles.

Source:
South Africa: Top New Police Unit to Fight Crime In Joburg
Bua News
April 17, 2009