The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is beefing up its troops and will, today, be accepting 131 new officers into the force.

This comes at a time when safety and security in the City of Ekurhuleni is in the spotlight, following the recent deaths of two children in Reiger Park due to crime.

Ekurhuleni mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele is thus expected to give the new recruits — who are the best out of 150 candidates accepted into the EMPD learnership programme in December 2012  — a firm welcome into one of the City’s most important jobs.

The officers began their training in January last year, and have undergone a series of theory and practical tests to prove their competency to fulfil the duties of a Metro Police officer.

They will assume their posts on September 1.

The passing out parade will take place at the Bosman Stadium at 10am.