City of Cape Town deploys 700 new Metro Police officers in major safety drive
The new ward-based officers aim to boost visible policing, build trust, and cut response times across the city.
Cape Town Metro Officers And Car / Wikimedia Commons: Discott
CapeTalk’s Sara-Jayne Makwala King is joined by JP Smith, City of Cape Town Mayco Member for Safety and Security.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
The City of Cape Town has launched a major safety push by deploying more than 700 new Metro Police officers across the metro, with five officers assigned to each ward.
The move, announced as part of the City’s latest municipal budget, aims to improve visible policing, reduce response times, and foster stronger relationships between officers and local communities.
Smith says this is the City's most ambitious recruitment drive yet, dubbed Project 1000, which saw nearly 16,000 applications narrowed down to under 1,000 candidates.
"We really are trying to improve the quality of the officers. We've made a huge effort. That's why we didn't fill all 1000. It wasn't just about meeting a number target. We took as many as were suitable... we will not just take for the sake of filling the training quota."
- JP Smith, City of Cape Town Mayco Member for Safety and Security
He added that new officers received rigorous training, including conflict resolution and ward-specific problem-solving skills to better understand and serve their communities.
Smith explains that the deployment marks a shift from broader area coverage to focused neighbourhood policing, allowing officers to build familiarity with local issues and repeat offenders.
"So now you will have shorter travel distances. You will have officers who are routinely present within those wards, faster response times, and they will get to know the area and understand what the specific challenges and high-risk individuals in that area are. And they will develop deeper relationships with local neighbourhood watchers and so forth, which is going to be the eyes and ears on the ground."
- JP Smith, City of Cape Town Mayco Member for Safety and Security
While the new officers will not have investigative powers, Smith emphasises that their role is to reduce bylaw offences and build trust.
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation