Western Cape Government Department of Community Safety’s name changes | Western Cape Government

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Western Cape Government Department of Community Safety’s name changes

4 April 2023

Western Cape Government Department of Community Safety’s name changes to “Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety”.  

The Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen and Head of Department, Advocate Yashina Pillay are proud to announce the official name change of the Department of Community Safety to “Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS)”.

The department was established on 1 April 1996 as the Provincial Secretariat for Safety and Security. Following a commitment by the Premier of the Western Cape during the 2022 State of the Province Address (SOPA) for the department to significantly expand its monitoring of police stations across the province, the President of the Republic of South Africa published a proclamation in the Government Gazette on 23 February 2023 to amend Schedule 2 to the Public Service Act, 1994. 

In terms of the amendment, which took effect on 1 April 2023, the Western Cape Government Department of Community Safety’s name has changed to Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS).  

Minister Reagen Allen stated, “There has been a need for greater and more effective oversight over the South African Police Service (SAPS) for a long time. We want to ensure that services received from them are significantly improved for all the residents of the Western Cape. Not only will this restore trust between communities and SAPS, but it will assist in creating safer communities as more and more residents will report criminal activities and help the SAPS in their crime fighting efforts. Let’s be clear, we’re not doing this to play big brother or to find fault, instead we want to ensure that there is a professional, trustworthy, and ethical service in the province regardless of where you live. The experience of residents of SAPS should across the board be of the same standard.”

Minister Reagen Allen continued: “Our efforts to create safer communities will continue unabated. The support, training and empowerment of our neighbourhood watches (NHWs) will continue. For the 2023/24 financial year, we have budgeted R7 million for NHWs and Community Policing Forums for their various community projects. This further includes our funding of 

- R25 million to the Chrysalis Academy, 

- R350 million for the Law Enforcement Advancement (LEAP) programme and 

- R10 million for LEAP stations.

In addition to this: 

- R19.6 million to the K9 Unit for further support to municipalities, 

- R9.5 million for resourcing of Rural Safety Units. 

- A further R56 million to the Western Cape Liquor Authority to empower them to conduct further inspections.

The POCS is guided by its Constitutional mandate to provide oversight over policing in the Western Cape.  We are guided by legislation, including the Western Cape Community Safety Act (WCCSA) and the Western Cape Government’s vision to prioritise the safety of all citizens in the Western Cape.  The Western Cape Safety Plan aims to halve the murder rate over the next ten years through data-led and evidence-based deployments and violence prevention initiatives.  The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) is a partnership formed with the City of Cape Town (CoCT) to deploy additional law enforcement officers to high-risk areas”.

The Department will continue to render its services and impact lives to the best of its ability and is committed to creating a safer province FOR YOU.

Media Enquiries: 

Ishaam Davids

Deputy Director: Communications

Directorate: Strategic Services and Communication

Department of Community Safety

Western Cape Government

Office: + 27 (0)21 483 6689

Cellphone: 082 941 9434 

E-Mail: Ishaam.Davids@westerncape.gov.za

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