By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Over 160 new City Police recruits will be undergoing intensive six-month basic training at Ondangwa from today. This latest development came to light after the Deputy City Mayor, Elaine Trepper, officially launched the second intake for the City Police Service Basic Training Course in Windhoek yesterday. Addressing the recruits at Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College, the deputy mayor said the challenge was upon them to maintain the existing efficient policing in and around the city in order to combat crime. In view of this, she encouraged the new recruits to take their basic training seriously to acquire the necessary policing skills. “Train hard in order to be able to carry out your noble duties with perfection and ease. The nation and the Windhoek residents in particular look upon you for their personal safety and that of their properties,” she stressed Since the City Police was established under the Namibian Police Act (Act 19 of 1990, Section 43.2) by the Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma on November 18, 2004, the force has made great strides in curbing crime and traffic-patrolling in the city. Its vision was to carry out policing and serve as an emergency service provider for the safety and quality of life of all Windhoek residents. So far, 148 constables completed their basic training at the Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in September last year and were deployed to all corners of the city. As a result of this situation there has been a notable reduction in most committed crimes that seriously affect residents. These include crimes such as housebreaking, armed robberies, bag-snatching, crime against tourists, theft of motor vehicles, theft out of motor vehicles as well as drinking in public places and public indecency offences. The full operational strength of the municipal police service will comprise a total of 392 police officers of which 292 are for crime prevention and 130 for traffic control. Since its inception, 227 officers have joined the City Police, while the remaining 165 new recruits intake was witnessed officially yesterday. Another major success jointly conducted by the City Police and the Namibian Police was the armed robbery at the Woermann Brock supermarket at Goreangab Dam in December last year. Furthermore, the effort of community policing has also gained momentum where public members are quick to give tip-offs to police officials in effectively combating crime in the city. However, key challenges still remain, namely, that of inadequate resources and meeting public members’ expectations adequately through providing visible policing at all times. Speaking on behalf of the Chief Inspector of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, Police Commissioner Samuel //HoÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚«beb said the trainees should bear in mind that to become successful in training they need to have a change of mindset in order to cope under very difficult circumstances. “Similarly, it’s important to understand that when it comes to training, particularly uniformed organisations training, you do not do what you want to do, but rather what you are told to do. This means that you are subjected to the instructors’ call at any time, day and night,” he explained. He also urged them to carry out their duties with a high degree of professionalism at all times. Having already completed five percent of the course by qualifying so far, the new recruits for the next six months will undergo intensive basic training in functional policing, physical operations, understanding municipal police by-laws and police signs.