​‘Although LEAP was set up for a different reason, it has been a welcome addition during the COVID-19 crisis as the additional resources have meant that we are able to extend our reach in communities during these challenging times. Deployment of the Learner Law Enforcement Officers (LLEOs) is an important step in their training and to put their theoretical knowledge into practice. Doing duty in the community is the only way to prepare for real life scenarios and to do it in the current environment has seen them jump in at the deep end and holding their own,' said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP), an initiative by the Western Cape provincial government and the City of Cape Town, aims  to recruit, train and deploy a significant number of LLEOs to boost enforcement capacity within the metropole. The first 500 LEAP officers attended their passing out parade in February this year. Induction and training follows a phased-in programme where officers are given the opportunity to gain experience in the enforcement environment, under supervision of senior officers. 

The 100 officers who have been deployed to Bonteheuwel as part of the COVID-19 hotspot strategy were among the first intake in February this year and were initially deployed in the Delft area where they assisted with road blocks and enforcement related complaints.

‘I am pleased that the Law Enforcement officers deployed through the Western Cape Safety Plan are playing their part and assisting in the Province and City of Cape Town’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 by attending to related complaints. Each of us has an important role to play in ensuring not only our own safety, but that of our grandparents, parents and siblings. We must continue to adhere to the five golden rules of hygiene which include social distancing, staying at home if we are sick, washing our hands regularly with soap and water, not touching our faces and staying home if possible,’ said the Western Cape Provincial  Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz.

​While enforcement agencies have been tasked with enforcing the regulations enacted in terms of the National Disaster Management Act, officers are also playing a role on the ground in advancing public safety protocols by ensuring social distancing at public facilities, ensuring that persons wear masks when they’re outside, etc.

‘And of course we have noticed an increase in incidents of crime since the move to Alert Level 3 of the national lockdown and the gradual reopening of the economy. Apart from the increase in alcohol-related transgressions, we have also noticed an increase in violent crime like murder and gang violence. So the demands on our enforcement services are increasing daily. Deployment of officers in communities, including COVID-19 hotspots, will give them an opportunity to build relationships with community groups, to lead by example and to assist our vulnerable groups against the virus and criminals,’ added Alderman Smith.