‘Stock take’ probe into reforming Metro Police

Ethekwini Municipality's Executive Committee (Exco) has approved the appointment of an independent team of academics and experts in policing matters to compile a report to assist the municipality in addressing transformation issues and organisational development in the Metro Police Unit.

City manager, Sibusiso Sithole briefed Exco members during the committee’s first sitting for 2014 at City Hall on 21 January, about the developmental interventions aimed at stabilising, transforming and modernising the Metro Police.

Sithole said the municipality needed to identify the root causes behind some of the challenges at Metro Police and take action to deal with those weaknesses. He said it was important to build on the existing strengths and determine what sort of repositioning will be required going forward.

He said the report will assist the municipality to maximise the use of existing technology to reduce crime within eThekwini, improve on the overall management of the unit as well the collection and processing of traffic fines.

“We are envisioning that this exercise will be done by independent people with knowledge about policing in general, from a practise and academic point of view because of the sheer scale of the work that has to be done,” said Sithole.

Sithole said he was optimistic that the holistic intervention into Metro Police would bear fruits but warned that this exercise could not be done overnight.

“But for the intervention to materialise it must not be seen as a witch-hunt against individuals. It will not be done as though we are doing a forensic investigation because it is not about that. It is about us going to Metro Police and critically taking stock about what are the strengths and weaknesses,” said Sithole.

The exercise will include community involvement by encouraging members of the public to give feedback on how they would like to see the Metro Police changed. Sithole said similar exercises have being done in other major cities.

“The external exercise will help the municipality redefine the role of Metro Police and make it a more efficient force. Ultimately the municipality wants to restore the dignity and public confidence in Metro Police,” he said.