Cops need help in fighting crime

Police minister Bheki Cele announced on Friday that R6.5m would be made available to fund community policing forums (CPFs) across the Eastern Cape. This is to ensure the forums are properly equipped to assist the police with crime-fighting efforts. Speaking at the official launch of the new Chatty police station, which has been years in the making, Cele said the money should go towards vehicles, laptops and other equipment to turn forums into effective force multipliers in the police’s fight against crime.

This announcement is welcomed because police officers cannot fight crime on their own; they need reinforcements.

It will take the police collaborating with CPFs, neighbourhood watches, security firms and street committees to be able to start making our communities safe again.

But these committees and forums require resources to be able to take on sophisticated criminal networks.

Cele had tough words for the police officers, calling on them to act with deadly force when they come under fire.

“I’ve been accused of being a warlord, because I call for our officers to take decisive action against dangerous criminals.

“But these criminals are not armed with broomsticks and fairy dust,” Cele said.

“They carry hard stuff. And when they plan heists, they plan to eliminate anything that gets in the way, including the police.”

The police do need to be more prepared as the criminals have become even more sophisticated, more specialised, and they have more resources.

They have become so brazen that they are even targeting police officers.

It is imperative that the police and the various community safety networks get the training and support they need to tackle crime head-on.

Cele’s talk must be accompanied by action and the resources to ensure there are enough boots on the ground, having the vehicles and equipment to effectively and confidently tackle criminals head-on.