Govt beefs up VIP protection

THE Ministry of Safety and Security will establish yet another special Police protective unit, this time to protect the President of Namibia, the former President, public office bearers and VIP’s (very important persons).

Cabinet has approved the new policy and directed that it should be fully implemented. In March this year, soldiers of the Presidential Guard of the 21st Battalion, a unit of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), were suddenly removed and the Namibian Police have since been protecting President Hifikepunye Pohamba.The new policy provides for the establishment of the Very Important Person Protection Division (VIPPD) within the Namibian Police.The policy also addresses the classification of VIPs; the role of the Namibian Police, the NDF and the Central Intelligence Service; access control to VIP locations and premises; security of Namibian VIPs in foreign countries; the protection of foreign heads of state and government and other dignitaries; VIP protection and co-ordination during high-profile events; and security training and awareness.In March this year, soldiers of the Presidential Guard of the 21st Battalion, a unit of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), were suddenly removed and the Namibian Police have since been protecting President Hifikepunye Pohamba.The new policy provides for the establishment of the Very Important Person Protection Division (VIPPD) within the Namibian Police.The policy also addresses the classification of VIPs; the role of the Namibian Police, the NDF and the Central Intelligence Service; access control to VIP locations and premises; security of Namibian VIPs in foreign countries; the protection of foreign heads of state and government and other dignitaries; VIP protection and co-ordination during high-profile events; and security training and awareness.