- Fifteen new Community In Blue (CIB) patrollers, mostly women, were appointed in the Muizenberg policing precinct to assist the understaffed police force.
- The CIB, a voluntary initiative, aims to strengthen community-police partnerships and enhance service delivery in the fight against crime.
- The involvement of women in the CIB is seen as a positive step, particularly in addressing gender-based violence.
Fifteen new Community In Blue (CIB) patrollers, predominantly women who completed their prescribed training, were appointed in the Muizenberg policing precinct on Thursday 15 August.
The members received their new jackets and caps during a ceremony.
Muizenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) chair Derick Muller says the additional patrollers will assist police who are heavily understaffed.
“When the police have a shortage of staff, such as at the front desk, the CIB will assist with simple tasks such as taking down the public’s details,” he said.
Commenting on the women patrollers outnumbering men, Muller said it was a positive step, especially when it comes to eradicating the gender-based violence (GBV) “monster”.
“The ladies are taking over. We have more ladies on our team,” said Muller.
“I don’t think we will get rid of the GBV monster any time soon, but we are making some headway. If we look at neighbourhood watches there are more women who join in most precincts and I think it is a very positive thing.”
Effective partnering
Meanwhile, Muizenberg police spokesperson Capt Stephen Knapp explained the concept behind the CIB.
“The idea behind the concept is for police to partner with the community to be more effective in the fight against crime,” he said. “The CIB members will be playing a supportive role and will be assisting the police during various operations and interventions.”
The CIB is voluntary and open to neighbourhood watch members in the Muizenberg policing precinct.
Station commander Col Jacqui Johnson welcomed the appointees.
“The new CIB members will go a long way in improving service delivery in the Muizenberg precinct.”
