No hiding now: Many drone traffic cops are watching
20 Traffic officers graduate as certified drone pilots in a bold move to boost surveillance and fight crime across the West Rand and Johannesburg.
In a bold move to modernise policing and strengthen the fight against crime, the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) has equipped law enforcement with a new set of eyes in the sky – drones.
Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane announced that 20 officers from Gauteng Traffic Wardens and Gauteng Traffic Police, stationed in Johannesburg and the West Rand District Municipality, recently graduated as certified drone pilots.
“The cohort is the first group of officers to receive training to operate drones as part of the provincial government’s initiatives to modernise law enforcement in the fight against crime,” said Maremane.
“Their training will enhance policing through improved surveillance and greater police visibility, especially in high-risk and hard-to-reach areas.”
The graduation is part of the province’s broader, tech-driven approach to tackling crime, vandalism, corruption and lawlessness through solutions such as drones, e-Panic buttons, helicopters, CCTV cameras and the Provincial Integrated Command Centre.
Maremane explained that the training, facilitated by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Industries, included:
• psychometric assessments
• aviation medical evaluations
• English language proficiency
• remote pilot certification
• restricted radiotelephony
• beyond visual line of sight operations
• product-specific UAV training
“This graduation of drone pilots marks an important milestone in the provincial government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen policing and protect the people of Gauteng. The Gauteng Traffic Police commends the dedication of these officers, who are now equipped to track criminals both in the air and on the ground,” he concluded.
