| 2024/11/08 |
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Media Statement
WESTERN CAPE – In a significant step toward strengthening nuclear security in South Africa, INTERPOL’s Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Unit along with the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in South Africa, in collaboration with the Division of Human Resource Development and the Multi-Agency Working Group (MAWG) specifically formed under the National Capability Assessment and Training (NCAT) process with South Africa, hosted a Radiological Front-Line Officer (FLO) course and Radiological Crime Scene Awareness (RCSA) course at the Protea Hotel in Sea Point, Western Cape, from October 21 to 31, 2024. This specialized training addresses the growing global concern over potential criminal and terrorism activities, involving radioactive and nuclear materials and is part of INTERPOL’s National Capability Assessment and Training (NCAT) program. The program adopts an integrated multi-agency approach, training members from SAPS, Metro Police, Fire and Rescue, SAHPRA, and Disaster Management. Ninety-four members received the FLO training and thirty participated in the RCSA training. Both courses were formally opened with a welcoming address by Colonel Jerry Matthasen, Acting Provincial Head, Western Cape SAPS Human Resource Development. The FLO and RCSA training courses focus on equipping participants with crucial skills in handling radiological crime scenes and on immediate response protocols when encountering nuclear or radioactive materials. Participants learn to recognize radiation hazards, establish secure perimeters, and take appropriate containment measures before specialized teams arrive while maintaining safety. The intensive course combines classroom lectures on the fundamentals of radiation, safety tips, incident response, nuclear security threat awareness, radiological crime scenes, command, control, and coordination, 12-step crime scene management, radiation detection instruments, radiation safety principles, and nuclear forensics.
Experts from the INTERPOL CBRNE sub-directorate in Lyon, France, Mr. David Harris, Mr. Trevor Beach, and Ms. Aleksandra Medic, conducted the training, with Captain Sugan Naidoo from INTERPOL, Pretoria, coordinating the course.
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