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The South African Police Service has deployed 15 officers from the Public Order Police Unit to assist with policing duties at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said Wednesday that the SAPS was the SADC law enforcement agency to be taking part in a “skills sharing opportunity in relation to crowd management control capabilities.”
He said this followed a request from the French government for members from various security officers including SAPS to provide support to its Interior Security in their mission to ensure a safe and secure event, at the cost of the French Government.
General Masemola said the members, seven female and eight male officers, were selected from all nine provinces and each boast more than 10 years’ experience in the Public Order Police Unit.
“Our Public Order Police officers have been involved in the policing of several world class events including the BRICS summit and AGOA which took place without incident and disruptions.
“We are confident that this opportunity will allow members to come back to share and transfer skills and knowledge to other members which will assist us in enhancing the policing of large gatherings and crowds,” said General Masemola.
He said he trusts they will “represent the country with pride and professionalism”, while flying the country’s flag high.
#sapsHQ The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola has wished fifteen police officers from the Public Order Police (POPs) unit well as they travel to Paris this evening to assist in performing policing functions during the 2024… pic.twitter.com/kqn9BWj4q3
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) July 24, 2024
