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SAPS revealed that the police officers, representing all nine provinces, each have over 10 years of experience serving in the Public Order Police unit.
(The Post News)- A total of 15 South African Police Service (SAPS) officers have departed for the 2024 Paris Olympics to assist with law enforcement duties.
The team, comprising seven women and eight men from various provinces, bid farewell to South Africa on Wednesday evening.
National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe stated that the officers, who have over a decade of experience in the Public Order Police unit, are expected to initiate their duties before the commencement of the two-week summer Olympic Games.
Elaborating on the deployment, Mathe noted that SAPS is the sole SADC law enforcement entity participating in these skills-sharing opportunities.
“This collaboration pertains to enhancing crowd control and management capabilities, after a request from the French government for specialised personnel, including SAPS members, to provide support to their Interior Security efforts in ensuring a seamless and secure Olympic event.”
She said this was funded by the French government.
SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola extended his best wishes for their endeavours. He noted that deploying members on a global stage presents an opportunity to exchange skills and knowledge, which will enhance SAPS’s crowd management capabilities.
“Our Public Order Police officers have played a vital role in ensuring a high-profile successful execution of events such as the BRICS summit and AGOA, which unfolded smoothly without any hiccups or disruptions.
“We are optimistic that this opportunity will enable members to return and share their skills and knowledge with fellow officers, thereby enhancing our capabilities in managing mass gatherings and crowds,” Mathe concluded by extending best wishes to their men and women in blue.
The opening ceremony for the Games commences at 7:30 p.m. South African time on Friday.
Marking a historic first, the time-honoured parade of athletes will be staged on boats along the Seine River, cruising past the most breathtaking Parisian landmarks.
Their responsibilities in France will include regular crowd management in various areas, conducting security sweeps along public roads and the surroundings of the Olympic sites, offering information to attendees, patrolling public transport hubs such as railway stations, metro stations, bus terminals, and high-traffic areas popular among spectators, supporting law enforcement efforts by welcoming and orienting visitors, streamlining administrative tasks related to witness statements, and providing translation language support for French law enforcement and investigators.
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