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Safety & Security celebrates staff achievements

Statement by Mayoral Commitee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith

The annual Safety and Security Directorate Awards is a highlight on our calendar. It is an opportunity to recognise the exceptional dedication, hard work, and successes of the individuals and teams who work tirelessly for the residents of Cape Town. Among the recipients this year, are: <ul><li>Senior Firefighter, Michael Gardiner – Directorate Officer of the Year</li></ul>Gardiner was one of the City's staff members dispatched to George in May following a multi-storey building collapse. He completed an in-field amputation to save the life of one of the persons trapped under the rubble. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Michael%20Gardiner_Directorate%20Officer%20of%20the%20Year.jpeg" alt="" style="width:949px;" /></figure><ul><li>Riyaad Daniels – Traffic Service Officer of the Year</li></ul>Officer Daniels was honoured for recovering seven stolen vehicles in the course of his duties. <ul><li>John Hoofd – Metro Police Department Officer of the Year</li></ul>Constable Hoofd has made more than 60 arrests this year – the highest by any individual in the department, and for numerous offences including possession of drugs, firearms and ammunition. <ul><li>Ilona Petersen – Disaster Risk Management Officer of the Year</li></ul>Ilona Petersen is an Assistant Disaster Management Officer in Area North. She is committed to her role as a field officer, from emergency response in communities affected by incidents and disasters to emergency planning support for commerce and industry and disaster risk reduction. In her spare time, she also collaborates with Metro EMS to build capacity in vulnerable communities with the Emergency First Aid Response (EFAR) training programme. <ul><li>Christopher Dillman – Law Enforcement Officer of the Year</li></ul>Officer Dillman received the accolade for his impressive arrest record. I can confidently say that our Directorate is well ahead of the rest of the country, and that we are increasingly catching up to best practices elsewhere in the world. Last week, we hosted more than 100 cities as part of the Strong City Network Conference. It is a tremendous honour that cities like Paris and Los Angeles want to collaborate with us, while Mayors from across the world want to learn from us. Our success is not measured solely by the number of incidents prevented, the number of events hosted, or the emergencies responded to, but also by the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and dedication that defines our work. Today, we celebrate not only the public acts of heroism by emergency and enforcement staff, but so too the internal victories that often go unseen by the public, and that are the cornerstone of our operations. From the meticulous planning and coordination of our budgets, disaster and emergency fire and rescue teams, emergency communications centre to the relentless efforts of Law Enforcement, Metro Police and Traffic officers in upholding the rule of law, each success story here is a testament to the dedication and expertise within Safety & Security. To our finance management, project management and administrative staff - your attention to detail, logistical support, and seamless coordination ensure that our front-line personnel can perform their duties effectively.Thank you for your tireless work and for being the silent heroes of our Directorate. As we reflect on our achievements, let us also look to the future with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The challenges we face are ever-evolving, and our ability to adapt and innovate is crucial. We must continue to invest in our people, embrace new technologies, and seek out new ways to enhance our operations. Together, we can overcome any obstacle and continue to ensure we are the back that the City is built on. To the award recipients, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition. Your dedication, hard work, and excellence serve as an inspiration to all of us. Let your achievements remind us of the impact we can have when we are committed to our mission and each other. Let us continue to support one another, strive for excellence, and work together to make Cape Town a better place for all. End

2024-12-09T22:00:00Z

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