Cape Town launches innovative bachelor's degree in municipal policing

The City of Cape Town is embarking on an ambitious initiative to enhance municipal policing through education. In a groundbreaking partnership with STADIO Higher Education, the City aims to develop a bachelor’s degree in municipal policing, which will be launched for national enrolment via the City’s Public Safety Training College.

This innovative programme represents a pivotal step in upskilling the city’s police force, which currently faces pressing challenges amid rising crime rates. The City’s Public Safety Training College, recognised for its excellence in training, has already received formal accreditation from various authoritative bodies, including the Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced the plans during a recent briefing, highlighting the College’s crucial role since its inception in 2008. Originally established to cater exclusively to the Metro Police Department, the college has since broadened its scope to train both permanent staff and volunteers across the City’s enforcement services. With state-of-the-art facilities and an expanded teaching staff, the college is now equipped to train thousands of students annually.

"We can make our cities much safer with well-trained metro police working in strong partnerships with the SAPS," said Mayor Hill-Lewis. He emphasized that the City has invested significantly to augment the Public Safety Training College, which has already contributed to adding over 1,300 new officers on the streets within a single term.

The bachelor’s degree in municipal policing, set to be a first of its kind in South Africa, will initially be offered as part of STADIO’s existing Bachelor in Policing Practices programme while the City’s college finalises its full degree accreditation. Under the terms of the new memorandum of agreement, students who qualify will earn a qualification from STADIO, with the City recognised in the awarding of the degree.

JP Smith, the Mayco member for Safety and Security, said, "This agreement is part of our long-term vision for our City’s college. Not only will it solidify the institution’s position as a leading training facility for the security sector nationally, but it will also unlock new opportunities for our enforcement staff and create a pipeline for career progression within the City."

Smith said the programme will be made accessible to anyone who meets the entry criteria, signalling a substantial opportunity to positively influence the standard of municipal policing across the country.