Tasso Evangelinos, chief operation officer of the CCID says, "The incident was brought to our attention through the crime intelligence information system that operates in conjunction with our other partners in the Central City. Allegedly, an inebriated tourist was approached by two public safety officers who threatened arrest for public drunkenness unless a certain amount of money was paid over to the officer. The third officer involved failed to report the incident. Clearly the tourist still had enough of his senses about him to report the attempt to the relevant local authorities! And they promptly brought it to our attention.
"We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in the ranks of the public safety officers we employ from private security firms to assist us and our law enforcement partners in the central city."
In large cities throughout the world, opportunistic corruption regularly raises its head, particularly in centres with a vibrant nightlife of clubs, pubs and restaurants. Incidents range from visitors being taken advantage of to intimidation of business owners.
"We also call on members of the public to report any such incidents or suspected incidents to us at our offices. While we would deal as swiftly with an incident of this nature at any time of the year, as Capetonians, we all need to be particularly vigilant during the festive season when there are many visitors in town who may be taken advantage of," he concludes.
Contact the CCID 24/7 on +27 (0) 82 415 7127 or email az.oc.dicnwotepac@om.
