It was ululations, tears of joy and excitement as 20 Officers (POs) graduated from the Peace Officer programme in Bitou Municipality on Thursday, 9 November 2023. 

The PO programme forms part of the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP), which prioritises the strengthening of Municipal Law Enforcement capacity across the Western Cape, particularly to enhance urban/rural safety and combat crime within communities.

The province has invested more than R 1,8 million in the training, resourcing, and development of these officers. 

For six weeks, Seargent Melonie Mason had come from the City of Cape Town to present the training in Bitou. 

Bitou Executive Mayor Councillor Dave Swart who had met the crew in September had encouraged them to seize the opportunity. 

Speaking at the graduation Cllr. Swart said he was proud that Bitou had scored a hundred percent pass rate with some graduates achieving a hundred percent in the competency test. 

Cllr Swart said: “I'm glad to hear that all 20 of you have seized the opportunity and made the most of the opportunity that you had. 

“We look forward to seeing you in our streets,” he said to the excited graduates. 

In thanking the Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, Mayor Swart said: “Thank you to the province for continuing with the program.”

“Often programmes are started and then they stop, but what we see is that the programme is getting better. Its advancing and it is qualifying our people to be better,” he added. 

Minister Allen said that there are over 60 PO’s that have been placed at strategic municipalities across the province. 

He said: “As we head into the festive season, we want the visitors to be and feel safe so that we can make conditions which are conducive for further investment.”

To the graduates, Minister Allen said: “You are going to contribute directly to investment in Bitou, you are also contributing to the to a mom and dad feeling safer as we are 20 years behind in what we need in terms of the SAPS in our province. 

A graduate of the program Simnikiwe Shoba said the programme had broadened her knowledge. 

She thanked the minister and Bitou Municipality officials for seeing a gap in the community and introducing the leadership. 

Now the graduates will sign a year contract with the Dept of Police Oversight & Community Safety, and they will work at Bitou Law Enforcement.