The metro chief of police in mid-June took delivery of the first of three water cannon vehicles ordered to enable trained officers to tackle volatile protest situations in the metro.
The water cannon enables officers to tackle riot situations in a non-lethal manner in dispersing unruly crowds as well as putting out fires, said metro police spokesperson Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago.
The water cannon truck offers a comfortable, reliable and efficient solution for crowd control, rioting and preserving of peace and order in a non-lethal fashion. It provides ballistic protection and is also capable of operating in high temperatures and dusty environments.
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Installed in the truck is an integration of surveillance cameras, night vision capabilities, PA system and roof monitors.
On the same day of taking delivery, several public order policing unit members underwent training on how to operate the water cannon truck. The training of officers, charged with the responsibility of manning the water cannon trucks, is done by the The Future of Motion in Olifantsfontein.
Training will be at regular intervals to ensure honing of officers’ skills in handling the water cannon trucks deftly.
Once the balance of two trucks is delivered, the trucks will be deployed in each of the EMPD operational regions namely, North, South and East.
