More than 100 officers pass out at parade in Athlone

• The City of Cape Town’s safety and security services will have more boots on the ground, following the graduation of 113 new Metro Police and traffic services officers.
• The City hosted a passing out parade at Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone on Tuesday 12 December.
• The class of 2023 consists of two platoons of Metro Police and one platoon of traffic officers consisting of 78 and 35 graduates respectively.

The City of Cape Town’s safety and security services will have more boots on the ground, following the graduation of 113 new Metro Police and traffic services officers.

The City hosted a passing out parade at Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone on Tuesday 12 December.

At the event were representatives of the South African Police Service (Saps) and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) along with families, friends and dignitaries linked to the safety and security directorate.

The class of 2023 consists of two platoons of Metro Police and one platoon of traffic officers consisting of 78 and 35 graduates respectively.

These graduates completed the requisite academic and practical assessments at the City’s Safety and Security Directorate Training College, with courses including a 12-month Further Education and Training course in road traffic law enforcement.

Some of the 1 000 recruits who joined the parade.

Members of the metro police firearms control department guard the flags of the metro police and traffic services during the general salute of the grand march.

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A total of 35 traffic officers will join the service.

The course also included training on how to handle a firearm and conduct roadblocks, point duty, as well as restraining techniques and agility.

The Metro Police trainees completed an additional six-month law enforcement skills programme, which included crime prevention, tactical street survival, professional conduct, and how to deal with domestic violence, child victims and child offenders.

“I want to congratulate the new recruits for reaching this milestone. While the enforcement environment is challenging, with many demands on our resources, I am confident that our training college has done everything necessary to ensure that these officers are ready for deployment and the task at hand.

Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith.

Top achieving Traffic Services recruit **

Metro Police recruits salute.

Traffic services and Metro Police awarded several recruits at the event, including best male and female shot, fittest student and overall top achievers.

“They will have to hit the ground running, as we navigate the many priorities that come with the festive season, and we look forward to their contribution to our overall pursuit of enhancing public safety in Cape Town,” said Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith.

Several graduates were awarded for excelling in various categories – including top-three performers, best male and female shot.

The City’s latest project saw the 1 000 new recruits join the parade ahead of festive season.