With lights flashing and sirens blaring, Gauteng’s men and women in blue descended on Curro Edenvale on November 12.
The SAPS officers joined by EMPD officers, first responders and security companies visited the school for the safer school campaign.
Edenvale SAPS spokesperson Sgt Jacob Mashile said the national campaign aims at bringing police and learners together.
“Various SAPS and EMPD units, including the water wing, K9 units and mounted unit held demonstrations for the learners,” said Mashile.
“The demonstrations were held to show and explain to the learners the role of different police units while building a stronger relationship between the youth and the police.”
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Members of the water wing, who conduct water-based crime prevention, investigation and rescues, showed learners their diving and rescue equipment while providing them with water safety tips.
Advice included:
• To never push a friend unexpectedly into a pool.
• To never dive into murky or unclear water.
• To always swim with adult supervision and use the buddy system.
• To never jump in when a friend is drowning and try to rescue them.
• To make use of a pool noodle or life jacket if you battle to swim.
The next demonstration was done by the Gauteng SAPS Highway Patrol with the assistance of the school’s executive head, André van Wyk.
With van Wyk in the driver’s seat of the police vehicle, the unit engaged in role-playing showing learners how they would stop a suspicious driver and request them to get out of the vehicle.
Once van Wyk was out of the vehicle, the officers showed learners how individuals were detained during searches and would be arrested if necessary.
Next on the list was a crowd pleaser with the EMPD and SAPS K9 units.
Under the guidance of the officers, the dogs displayed to learners how they detect drugs and explosives and how they could stop a fleeing suspect.
For the demonstrations, narcotics and plastic explosives were placed in tubes that the dogs had to then find.
Mashile said overall the campaign went well. He said in the future the station plans to host similar events as part of the national campaign.
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