The day starts early for the metro police spokesperson. Breakfast shows want comment from as early as six. But he is never really off duty, with a uniform ever at the ready for those middle-of-the-night emergency calls.

Wayne Minnaar, spokesman of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department

HE is probably one of the most quoted men in the city but many of us know Wayne Minnaar only by name.

Dealing with public queries and complaints, giving official comment to the media and bringing everyone up to date in the event of an emergency is the name of the game for the official spokesperson of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD).

Minnaar's office is not unlike any other – a crowded space littered with correspondence, news clippings and promotional goods – but with the additional air of a mini call centre as several calls come through during the interview, both his cellphone and his landline reminding him continuously of his task at hand.

And this task requires someone who does not mind being available at all times and certainly has no qualms about dealing with total strangers. Giving advice, information or comment on the activities of the JMPD, or giving assurance and information in the event of an emergency, takes up a large part of Minnaar's time.

His calm exterior and good nature is well suited to a job that most often deals with an irate or upset public, demanding journalists, grief-stricken family members and the just plain inquisitive.

In touch
With his cellphone always within easy reach, Minnaar deals with up to 40 calls a day, ranging from queries about obtaining police clearances to giving comment on the number of fatalities at an accident scene. In addition, he receives more than 20 emails a day, mostly complaints about noise disturbances, speeding drivers, a lack of policing and, of course, the urban menace of barking dogs.

Minnaar started working for Johannesburg's then traffic department in 1981, more than two decades ago. He admits wholeheartedly that he still loves his job and the place he works with a passion.

He was a freeway patrolman for eight years; his ability to work with people ensured his move up the ladder, first as area commander of Hillbrow and later as superintendent of the Rosettenville area. When the JMPD was established in 2001, Minnaar became its official spokesperson.

He has always liked the uniform and the type of work suits his personality. "My personality is well adapted to policing," he admits seriously. As a conscientious individual who strongly believes in law and order, he showed potential for this line of work from an early age – at school, as class monitor, he liked keeping things straight and fellow pupils orderly, he confesses.

Early start
A normal working day starts early - by six in the morning Minnaar is up and about, giving his first comments to breakfast radio shows. Over the years the department has built up a good working relationship with radio stations, especially Talk Radio 702 and Kaya FM, he confirms.

Occasionally the day begins even earlier, when he needs to appear on television breakfast shows, such as SABC's Morning Live. "I am quoted on a daily basis by newspapers such as The Sun, The Star and The Citizen," he says, pulling open a thick file of newspaper clips to prove his point.

Being in the public eye at all times means you have to put your best foot forward, literally. Minnaar is always immaculately dressed in his much-loved JMPD uniform. There is no such thing as down time; you have to maintain your professional stance even when you are off-duty, he says.

"Your job becomes part of your image." When the pace becomes too much, it's off to the JMPD coffee shop for a quiet cup of coffee.

Busy periods usually occur just before the festive season and long weekends, when the city is abuzz with pre-holiday activities and people start to wind-down seriously – usually leading to additional work for the police.

Problem areas are by-law enforcement and the dynamics usually associated with this –street beggars, informal traders and the like. But the city's police force also has its success stories. JMPD officers recently busted a couple of syndicates involved in selling fake goods and producing fake documentation.

Visibility and police presence is a key factor for the JMPD. "Our rating [by the public] on visibility is high."

The job is not only about bad news and bad behaviour. One of the busiest times for Minnaar's unit – communications and marketing – is over Easter when the Rand Show is on. The JMPD holds a big exhibit every year at the show and uses the opportunity to give the public access to the force in an informal and relaxed environment.

On call
Giving comment and information on a variety of issues on a daily basis is reliant on a well-managed information system. Minnaar is immediately contacted in the event of an incident. He also has a direct link to the central control room, which handles all the emergency calls.

Part of this system relies on establishing and maintaining excellent relationships with the various unit heads and station commanders, something he maintains vigorously. "We believe in transparency. I do not hide anything, but obviously I focus on projecting the positive."

With a day that starts so early, one would think that some reprieve could be had at night. But this is not the case. Crime and policing is a 24/7 job and Minnaar is available at all times.

Taking calls in the middle of the night has become second nature, too. Many of these calls deal with unfortunate events such as a police officer's death. "My uniform is always ready," confirms Minnaar. Quickly putting on his full uniform, Minnaar and the JMPD chaplain visit the family immediately to give them the sad news in person.

Minnaar also represents metro police at the memorial services of officers and staff members, which equates to a fair amount of travelling.

Although he is the chief spokesperson for the JMPD, Minnaar shares responsibilities with his colleague, Inspector Edna Mamonyane. The department consists of five directorates: by-law management unit, academy, operations unit, licensing and prosecution, and finance. It has nine precinct offices - in Diepsloot, Soweto, Monte Casino, Roodepoort, Midrand, Rosettenville, Orange Farm, Ennerdale and Sandton.

Meetings
Minnaar meets the chief of police, Chris Ngcobo, and the five directors every Monday to discuss JMPD strategy or to deal with specific concerns raised by the City mayor or manager. "Tuesdays are operations meetings where issues pertinent to the City are discussed."

Three core functions form the basis of all metro police activities: crime prevention strategies, road policing and by-law enforcement, says Minnaar. Although he no longer participates actively in any of these, one of his tasks is to canvass new recruits, a job well-suited to his approachable nature.

"The JMPD is aiming to increase its police presence throughout the city and is training an additional 500 recruits every six months." The idea is to increase the current force to 4 000 by the 2010 World Cup. There are now more than 1 900 metro police officers.

Minnaar recently completed a recruitment drive at schools to motivate learners to consider the JMPD as a viable career choice. Explaining the different aspects of policing and the various units within the JMPD, he says the perceptions of policing as a career choice are slowly changing.

"It is a good career if you have a passion. It is not for people who just want a job," adds Mamonyane. For relaxation Minnaar keeps pigeons. Taking care of them and watching them fly overhead while he sits in his garden helps him to relax. But he does not take part in any form of pigeon racing; "That would just add to my stress," he quips laughingly.