The City Manager of Ekurhuleni Dr Imogen Mashazi has pledged to empower female members of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) to further their studies so that they can occupy senior positions in the department.
Speaking to hundreds of female metro police and emergency service officers during the launch of the City Manager’s Uniformed Female Officers in Community Safety Legacy Project in Thokoza this morning, Dr Mashazi made it clear that the project is aimed at motivating and empowering female officers.
“This innovation is aimed at motivating and celebrating uniformed officers in the city, who despite the intricate nature of their work, continue to dedicate themselves to fighting lawlessness.
“Not only do they risk their lives on a daily basis taking on heartless and brutal criminals, they continue to ensure that we are as crime and lawless free as possible,” Dr Mashazi elaborated, adding that she would love to see the both the metro police and emergency services led by women.
“By showing our appreciation for this hard work and dedication through this legacy project, we are prioritising their academic advancement. We also celebrate their achievement and tackle any bias directed at them,” she continued.
Dr Mashazi said the city will be looking closely at the issue of career progression for female officers because it is common knowledge that this profession, and a number of others, continue to be dominated by males.
“The critical issues that we will be looking at include: Do we have enough female officers in high positions? Is our career progression programme benefitting them? If the answer is negative, immediate action will have to be taken.
“Education is a key that opens all doors. It is a key that will unlock senior posts for our ladies; hence, we must encourage them to seize the opportunity and further their studies,” Dr Mashazi added.
The City Manager’s Uniformed Female Officers in Community Safety Legacy Project will run for the next five years. It is aimed at motivating and recognising the work of the female officers whilst empowering them to do even better and occupy senior positions.
It further encourages employment equity for both male and female officers.
