Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality inducted 111 new metro police officers at the Traffic College in Greenbushes, Port Elizabeth, on Wednesday.
Twelve sergeants, 18 inspectors, a chief and 79 constables will be operating from two precincts, Bethelsdorp and Uitenhage.
The metro's Head of Safety and Security, John Best said about 67 of the officers hired were previously temporary employees within the traffic department.
The newly appointed Metro Police chief, Yolanda Faro said the new force will also help SAPS by being part of integrated operations until they receive more advanced training and experience.
Answering to why the metro police is not targeting the gang ridden Northern areas, Best said they will be providing the police with back up, "we are going there, but I am not going to send people that have not properly been trained into those areas. Once these guys and ladies have been trained properly and we are comfortable to send them into high crime ridden areas, alone, they definitely will do this."
Meanwhile, Inspector Mlindi Mangwane, who was also inducted, said he feels great that he can finally serve the Metro.
He added that the Metro police will be visible on the streets and be of service to the SAPS.
Mangwane said they will make sure that Bay residence are safe, whether at home or in the streets.
