Police get new emergency unit

CRIME fighters in Windhoek gained a new ally on Thursday with the inauguration of a new 16-member Emergency Response Unit of the Namibian Police.

The team, who spent the last two weeks trying to prove their worth during a test phase, will be responsible for responding to emergency situations, much like the already existing Special Reserve Force. Expressing his faith in the new unit, Khomas Regional Commander Commissioner Samuel //Hoebeb revealed to the media that the officers have already arrested 10 people for serious crimes.Five robbery suspects have been arrested in six cases of robbery that the unit investigated, two suspects were arrested in connection with shooting incidents, and one person was arrested on a charge of attempted murder.Other arrests included one person for culpable homicide, and one arrest in a case of theft.The unit also took care of 12 serious vehicle accidents, one case of arson, and two cases of drunken driving.The unit underwent training under the direction of French police experts and local instructors.This course, according to the Regional Commander, included the safe use of firearms, crime scene handling and first aid.All members of the Emergency Response Unit have five or more years of service, and were all drawn from different units in the Namibian Police.The unit will be responsible for all incidents which involve serious crimes and the use of dangerous weapons, or crimes which result in injury or loss of life.They will also respond to serious road accidents, murders, attempted murders, culpable homicide, armed robbery and rape.Housebreakings in which armed suspects are still presumed to be on the scene, all shooting incidents, and any disaster, man-made or natural, will also warrant their attention.Their tasks at crime scenes will be to give first aid to any injured people, cordon off the scene, preserve evidence and assist in the safe movement of traffic.//Hoebeb said yesterday that complaints over Police arriving more than half an hour after being summoned to a crime scene had already been addressed thanks to the creation of this new unit.A similar unit has also started patrolling the streets of Oshakati.Expressing his faith in the new unit, Khomas Regional Commander Commissioner Samuel //Hoebeb revealed to the media that the officers have already arrested 10 people for serious crimes.Five robbery suspects have been arrested in six cases of robbery that the unit investigated, two suspects were arrested in connection with shooting incidents, and one person was arrested on a charge of attempted murder.Other arrests included one person for culpable homicide, and one arrest in a case of theft.The unit also took care of 12 serious vehicle accidents, one case of arson, and two cases of drunken driving.The unit underwent training under the direction of French police experts and local instructors.This course, according to the Regional Commander, included the safe use of firearms, crime scene handling and first aid.All members of the Emergency Response Unit have five or more years of service, and were all drawn from different units in the Namibian Police.The unit will be responsible for all incidents which involve serious crimes and the use of dangerous weapons, or crimes which result in injury or loss of life.They will also respond to serious road accidents, murders, attempted murders, culpable homicide, armed robbery and rape.Housebreakings in which armed suspects are still presumed to be on the scene, all shooting incidents, and any disaster, man-made or natural, will also warrant their attention.Their tasks at crime scenes will be to give first aid to any injured people, cordon off the scene, preserve evidence and assist in the safe movement of traffic.//Hoebeb said yesterday that complaints over Police arriving more than half an hour after being summoned to a crime scene had already been addressed thanks to the creation of this new unit.A similar unit has also started patrolling the streets of Oshakati.