“JMPD recruits, you stand here today because the City needs you, and you stand here today because the City chose you,” said Mayor Herman Mashaba during the induction of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) trainee officers that took place on 18 October.
“When the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) announced that it intended to recruit 1 500 new officers, an overwhelming 38 600 applications were received.
It must be noted that the number of applications received was actually higher, but some people were so eager to secure a place in this programme, they applied several times,” the Mayor said.
He reminded the recruits that he had made a promise to enable the JMPD to better police the CoJ’s communities and said, “It is with great joy that I am seeing that promise being realised here today.”
The Mayor added that the additional 1 500 new officers represent a 50 per cent increase in the size of the JMPD force, ensuring that a lot of the pressure on the formerly overstretched JMPD will be alleviated.
“Although the recruits have completed the three-month basic training programme, they will receive much more training over the next three years. Recruits will be placed in different situations where they will be expected to act with competency. And, although the primary training will basically be concerned with traffic violations, at the end of the training period, they will be effective crime prevention officers that will be able to maintain a sense of calm and uphold their professional conduct in spite of difficult circumstances,” said the Mayor.
The recruits were told that, even though they do not know how to deal with all types of adverse situations yet, they only need to uphold the oath of service and commitment to ensure the CoJ residents are kept safe. “I urge each one of you here today to never turn a blind eye to law breakers because it is your duty to report and denounce any criminal activities and to uphold the ethics of community policing,” he said.
That is the ceremonial handing over of the @JMPDSafety flag. It signifies that the recruits will uphold the ideals of JMPD. #InductJMPD1500???? pic.twitter.com/5EKV4ocrpc
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) October 18, 2017
He concluded by saying, “JMPD recruits, as you begin your careers, you are going to meet immense challenges and you are going to have to show what you are made of. I have every faith that you will make the City proud. Welcome to the CoJ.”
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