Mallex Shipanga
Head of the Windhoek City Police, Leevi Ileka explained that the institution is in the process of implementing a smart policing strategy.
Ileka announced this endeavour on Monday at a ceremony in commemoration of Windhoek City Police Service Day 2024.
Smart policing is a manner of work in which data, communities, and technology are incorporated to enhance the effectiveness of officers.
Ileka said the goal is to prevent crime before it occurs.
“We are trying by all means to become proactive,” he said.
Once implemented, these strategies will include technologies such as 400 CCTV cameras, computer-based statistics, and drones.
“That is the beauty of technology. Instead of us going around and hiding in the bushes looking for criminals, we spot them on the cameras,” Ileka said.
This smart policing strategy consists of various initiatives such as community policing, traffic law enforcement (road safety), and zonal policing (crime prevention) initiatives.
“I would like to win the hearts and souls of the community so that they freely come to us about what is happening in their communities,” Ileka said.
Earlier this year, Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) supported the City of Windhoek’s (CoW) safer city concept, which is carried out by the city police.