JMPD’s new chief, David Tembe addresses community members’ concerns

The new chief of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department met with various stakeholders from Sandton to discuss problems they experience in the area.

David Tembe has been in public service since 1981 when he began working with emergency services. He made his way up the ranks and began working with the Metro police in 2003. Tembe said that while there are numerous problems they need to tackle, they need residents to work with them.

“Our mission is to safeguard the citizens by providing the highest quality service, with integrity, passion and commitment. Most importantly, it must be consistently and constitutionally.

“We want to build a comforting partnership with the community. Without the community on our side, we won’t win against crime. We need to fight crime together.”

He also emphasised that a partnership with private security companies would be essential in dealing with crime and by-law infringement. Representatives from security companies at the meeting also pledged their support to the Metro Police Department, adding that they would use the resources available to them, including security cameras, to assist them.

Tembe emphasised the importance of leading from the front, adding that he could not lead Metro police officers from an air-conditioned office but rather out in the field with his officers.

Ward 91 councillor Jeffrey Pietersen said, “We know that they have a difficult task, we see crime on a daily basis. I really feel for these officers, they have a tough job. We want the city to be a safe city, where you can walk with your family members on the street without fear. Let’s make this a success and move forward together.”

Region E director Liziwe Ntshinga-Makoro added that she hoped the meeting would allow them to come up with project ideas with community members to tackle the problems.

Stakeholders at the meeting – including members of residents’ associations, community policy forums and security companies – had the opportunity to raise some of their concerns. Some of the prominent questions related to taxi lawlessness, land invasions and illegal dumping.

Tembe addressed each of the concerns raised and focused on determining specific areas of concern where officers could target. He said that officers would focus on 10 intersections over the next six weeks in order to dissuade unlawful drivers. Similarly, he added that they would identify spots where illegal dumping takes place regularly and target them consistently.

Tembe concluded that their focus is not to punish unlawful behaviour but rather to dissuade the behaviour, to begin with.

Details: Johannesburg Metro Police Department 011 036 7502

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https://staging.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/185996/electronic-speed-cameras-tossed-officers-back-road/

https://staging.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/199289/jmpd-launches-operation-knight-life/