Durban Metro Police Boosts Fleet with 50 VW Golf GTI: A Commitment to High-Performance Policing and Advanced Driver Training

The police force has acquired a fleet of 50 new VW Golf 8 GTIs

These high-performance vehicles will be put to use in South Africa and are fresh off the production line.

While the police fleet in South Africa may not boast the multi-million dollar luxury cars seen in Dubai, nor do they operate Lamborghinis for high-speed organ transports like the Italian police, they compensate with a significant number of powerful vehicles. A single department has recently added a substantial number of Volkswagen Golf GTIs to their ranks, totaling 50.

The Durban Metro Police Service has recently added an impressive fleet of new Golfs to their ranks, which Volkswagen also manufactures in South Africa. As evidenced by the headlight design, these GTIs are pre-facelift models that were phased out earlier in the year following the launch of the more powerful Mk 8.5.

Photo Gallery: Durban Metro Police acquire 50 VW Golf GTI vehicles

Observant readers might notice one vehicle that stands out from the rest. Indeed, that's a smaller Polo that doesn't appear to be the high-performance GTI variant. Moreover, the Polo model for the European market has recently started being imported from South Africa.

50 Volkswagen Golf GTI vehicles for the Durban Metropolitan Police Force

50 Volkswagen Golf GTI vehicles acquired by Durban Metropolitan Police Force

The DMPS, active in the nation's third-most populous city, plans to roll out advanced driving training courses. This move aims to equip officers with the necessary skills to handle the department's high-performance vehicles. The formal announcement came as a reply to social media criticisms, which questioned the driving proficiency of the police force.

Training police officers to handle high-performance vehicles responsibly is crucial not just for their own safety but also for maintaining respect on the roads. Proper training will ensure these vehicles are used effectively in law enforcement and do not cause extra issues. As part of the plans for the new police academy, we aim to introduce advanced driving training to address this very issue. The goal is to have well-trained officers who can navigate complex road situations while ensuring the public is treated with respect and the vehicles are properly maintained to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. We acknowledge your concerns regarding misuse, and with the right training and oversight, we are committed to preventing any potential misuse of these vehicles. Officers are expected to adhere to the highest standards, and we appreciate the feedback that pushes us towards greater accountability and professionalism on the streets.

Within the blueprint for the upcoming police academy, we're set to roll out enhanced driver training to specifically target this issue. The objective is to cultivate officers who are adept at handling intricate scenarios on the roads while also maintaining a respectful approach towards the public and ensuring the department's vehicles are well-maintained to dodge unnecessary wear and tear.

Your concerns regarding misuse are acknowledged, and through proper training and oversight, efforts are being made to avert any potential misuse of these vehicles. Officers are expected to adhere to the utmost standards, and the feedback that encourages increased accountability and professionalism on the roads is appreciated.

22 Volkswagen Golf GTI units destined for South Africa

22 units of the Volkswagen Golf GTI headed for South Africa.

These GTIs are not the only ones procured by South African authorities this year. Earlier in February, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as Hawks, acquired 22 high-performance hatchbacks. Hawks is a premier law enforcement unit tasked with probing into organized crime, economic offenses, corruption, and other serious criminal activities.

It's quite understandable why these departments have opted for the Golf GTI. It's a practical and fairly affordable vehicle that still possesses sufficient strength to catch speeders or carry suspects. Plus, it's comfortable enough for everyday use. In South Africa, the Golf GTI is priced at about $42,500 before adding police equipment.

Further details on the Golf 8:

The South African version of the Golf GTI is available exclusively with a DSG transmission, and this will persist in the updated model since VW has discontinued the six-speed manual transmission globally. Similarly, the Golf R has also dropped the manual transmission option following its mid-cycle refresh.

Source: Facebook page of Durban Metropolitan Police Service

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