NMB metro police chief to take over beat from December

Nelson Mandela Bay’s new municipal police boss, Yolande Faro, intends to identify and fully assess what the problems facing the unit are and then prioritise a plan of action. Cape Town’s acting metro police chief at present, Faro is the third head of the Bay metro police to be appointed over the past seven years. Mayor Athol Trollip said yesterday that Faro, 42, would start her new job in December – ready for the festive season – with at least 50 fully compliant and trained officers on the beat. “After years of uncertainty and sub-standard management, our metro police service is now under world-class leadership, backed by years of exceptional experience,” Trollip said. “Safety and security is a priority for the metro’s new leadership.” Faro, a veteran law enforcement official, has been Cape Town’s acting police chief since February. Over the years, Faro has obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Policing and a policing diploma while working full-time in the police. A wife and mother of three, Faro said she was looking forward to moving to the Bay. “I am very excited and see this opportunity as a new door opening for me,” she said. “I look forward to bringing my 18 years’ experience in the field to the Bay. “Before making any plans, I need to first see what is in the Bay and how we can adjust and improve where required. “There is no one silver bullet to sort out any problem, so I will have to assess what the problems are and what is needed before committing to any plans and then prioritise accordingly. “I am not one for making empty promises before assessing the situation.” Faro has been instrumental in establishing several projects in Cape Town, such as forging training relationships with several agencies including the US embassy. Her career started in 1998, when she joined the Cape Town Traffic Department as a warden. In 2002, she was promoted to sergeant and soon after that, to precinct commander. In 2005, Faro was appointed director of central operations responsible for Cape Town, the Atlantic seaboard, False Bay coastline, Langa and Kensington. In April 2009, she was promoted to deputy chief. Former Bay metro police chief Pinkie Mathabathe was fired in June after a disciplinary process, which resulted in the municipality booting her out for under performance and failure to declare a second income.