Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2)

General Information

The Eyes and Ears Initiative (E2) is a ground-breaking, official joint crime-fighting effort involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA), the Private Security Industry, and other approved non-private security role-players and law enforcement agencies. This unique collaboration was launched in 2019 under a formal memorandum of understanding signed by the SAPS National Commissioner and BACSA.

Initially involving only the private security sector, E2 has expanded to include all approved private organisations (e.g. formal agriculture and rural safety structures, businesses and Community Policing Forums (CPF's)), establishing itself as the sole official nationwide operational channel for crime-fighting cooperation between the private sector and government law enforcement

Purpose

The E2 Initiative focuses on:

1. Preventing and mitigating the impact of crime, particularly violent incidents.
2. Monitoring and managing volatile political and social situations that could result in widespread harm, chaos, or destruction.
3. Assist SAPS operationally during critical events such as elections, protests, and high-risk operations when requested.

Operational Integration

E2 operates as an embedded function within the SAPS Operational Command Centres (OCCs), including representation at the:

• SAPS National Operational Command Centre (NOCC), also known as the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS),
• Nine Provincial OCCs (POCCs),
• A growing number of District (DOCCs) and Station OCCs, and
• BACSA National Monitoring Centre

Communication among approved participants is facilitated through 24/7 Telegram messaging platforms, cell phone network-based Push-To-Talk radios (HALO PTT) and Application Programming Interface (APIs), supported by the BACSA National Monitoring Centre based in Johannesburg. E2 operators follow strict protocols to ensure seamless communication with the SAPS for real-time responses.

Key Functions and Features

1. Enhanced Information Sharing: E2 serves as a vital conduit for BACSA initiatives, sharing critical situational information to combat trio crimes' (violent crimes, robberies, hijackings), extortion, infrastructure crime, and more.
2. Technology Integration: Automated processes ensure timely and accurate flow of information to enhance decision-making and response.
3. Collaboration: E2 fosters partnerships between private organisations and the SAPS, strengthening national crime-fighting capabilities.

Requirements

Requirements for participation are:

• CIPC Registration Certificate.
• PSIRA Registration Certificate View example
• PSIRA letter of good standing (not older than 60 days) View example
• Signed E2 Standing operating procedures (SOP can be downloaded below). View SOP
• Full personal particulars of the company owner(s), director(s), CEO / MD and their identity documents

Note: Have the above documents ready in separate pdf documents to be uploaded during application process.

Terms and conditions

General terms and Conditions:

• Participation is voluntarily and at own cost.
• Responsibilities and liabilities of any participant are based on that provided for by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
• The roles and powers of the SAPS and PSI do not change.
• The group (SAPS, members of the PSI and BACSA), incurs no liability for any conduct or omissions by or on behalf of participant’s or individual’s.
• Participants shall be required to comply with the requirements of all SOP’s.

Apply for E2
View SOP Registration Manual

Download the SOP

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