FBI trains SA police ahead of 2010
Themba Gadebe
30 August 2007Johannesburg law enforcers are receiving training from American experts on tackling terrorism financing and money laundering ahead of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
The American members of the world renowned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are giving a week-long training course to Johannesburg Metro Police and members of the South African Police Service.
Speaking to BuaNews, Michael Martinel, supervisory special agent of the FBI, said it was important to prepare South Africa to respond to these challenges.
At the same time, Martinel commended his class of 31 students on their intelligence in security issues. "I have been giving training to a lot of people, but this is the most intelligent class. I am actually learning more from them," he told BuaNews
Metro Police spokesperson Inspector Edna Mamonyane said the FBI had been providing training to their officers for the past two years.
"Our officers have been trained in the fields of street survival, investigation, handling of the most dangerous criminals and explosives in the FBI Academy in Botswana," she said.
Chief of the Johannesburg Metro Police, Chris Ngcobo, said about 4 000 officers would be trained by 2009.
He said the issue of skills and qualifications was becoming increasingly important to South Africa's law enforcers. "We want competent officers even in driving," Ngcobo said. "A police chase should not result in an accident."
He emphasised the importance of investigation, saying criminals were walking out of court due to insufficient evidence.
"We must have the evidence that will work in court, because without evidence the courts release the criminals and the public thinks it is corrupt police officers that release them."
Johannesburg will be the focus of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, having two stadiums -Soccer City and Ellis Park - that will stage World Cup games, including the opening and closing matches.
The city will also, pending ratification from Fifa, host the International Broadcast Centre, the hub of all broadcasting on the 2010 spectacular.
Source: BuaNews
