The metro police have 20 new cars, adding to the force's crime-fighting arsenal. There are now 620 squad cars prowling the streets of Joburg.

ANOTHER 20 vehicles have been added to the growing fleet at the Johannesburg metropolitan police department (JMPD).

The new additions - 10 new Ford Rangers and 10 new Ford Focuses - boost the already substantial fleet. "JMPD now has 1 600 officers and 620 patrol cars," confirmed Wayne Minnaar, the department spokesperson at the handing over of the cars, which took place on 11 April at the police headquarters in Martindale.

The new vehicles were officially handed over by Ford president and chief executive officer, Hal Feder. He reminded metro police officers that their relationship went beyond being a business transaction and had grown into a partnership.

"Ford Motor Company of South Africa is proud to have a longstanding association with the JMPD, and we are happy to once again see our vehicles used in the fight to make our roads safer."

Fleet Africa CEO, Kamogelo Mmutlana with JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar, Director of Operations for JMPD, David Tembe and Hal Feder, CEO and president for Ford Motor Company

The new fleet looked resplendent, painted the bright orange and blue colours of the JMPD, by now a ubiquitous sight in and around Johannesburg.

In recent months, the department has taken ownership of 97 new Ford Focus models, rented through Fleet Africa. In July 2007, it replaced some of its ageing fleet with 24 new BMW 320is and 12 new twin-cab Ford Rangers. The fleet refurbishment programme has been ongoing since 2001.

The metro police stretched the 2007-08 festive season over three months, to curb road delinquency and accidents. A "no tolerance" approach was followed, starting with minor offences such as littering, and going all the way to dangerous and drunken driving. During Easter at the end of March, it followed a similar approach.

"We set a target of a 40 percent reduction in the accident rate for Johannesburg, and actually reduced it by 71 percent," Minnaar confirmed, to great applause.

Ford Motor Company also provides driver training for JMPD instructors.

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