23.06.2014 Views

Untitled - Saps

Untitled - Saps

Untitled - Saps

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

2001<br />

10 Years of Policing in a Democracy 1995 – 2005<br />

38<br />

• To stem the tide of brutal slayings of police officials, the SAPS established a Police Safety<br />

Directorate in April 2001. The aim of the directorate was to develop measures to prevent<br />

attacks on police officials.<br />

• The SAPS developed and implemented a strategy to improve the reliability of crime<br />

statistics. Various initiatives in this regard were implemented and police members<br />

throughout the country were trained in using the computerized Crime Analysis System.<br />

The SAPS trained some 3 000 members to classify crime and to capture data correctly.<br />

• A hi-tech, mobile X-ray unit to help in the fight against crime was introduced in North<br />

Rand. The SAPS identified a need for a machine that could enhance their crimedetection<br />

capabilities. Hi-tech computers and other systems were consequently installed<br />

in a marked vehicle that could be deployed anywhere. This technology greatly speeds up<br />

police searches of, for instance, containers of any kind without having to break seals.<br />

• In May 2001, a multinational police task team destroyed 108 hectares of cannabis in<br />

Swaziland.<br />

• The Rapid Deployment Stability Force was established late in 2001 for deployment<br />

in all provinces. This force was deployed in support of local police in flashpoint areas<br />

in instances where normal policing was not adequate to deal with incidents of public<br />

disorder, serious and violent crimes and disaster management. The SANDF and 43<br />

SAPS intervention units supported the Rapid Deployment Stability Force.<br />

• Air-supported reaction forces were first established in Gauteng and were later extended<br />

to the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. These units acted as quickresponse<br />

units to incidents of serious and violent crime such as bank robberies, vehicle<br />

hijackings and farm attacks. Air support could also be used for aerial surveillance.<br />

• A satellite tracking system was installed in all SAPS aircraft to enhance their capacity to<br />

deal with the theft and hijacking of vehicles.<br />

• Two additional helicopters were purchased at a cost of R25 million to strengthen the airsupport<br />

capacity of the SAPS. Two more helicopters were ordered.<br />

• The then Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Steve Tshwete, in cooperation with<br />

National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, launched a national campaign in<br />

Katlehong, Gauteng on 2 April 2001, encouraging members of the public to reject and<br />

report stolen goods.<br />

• The Saambou Bank Community Policing Competition gave recognition and rewards<br />

to police stations and police units whose progress was commendable. The primary<br />

aim of the competition, since its inception, was to contribute to the institutionalization<br />

of community policing. The 2000/2001 competition focused on the assessment of<br />

endeavours aimed at improving quality of service, police-community relations and<br />

projects aimed at enhancing the safety and security of communities.<br />

• The SAPS received a grant of R3 million from France to speed up future operations. A<br />

part of the money was earmarked for the computerization of SAPS criminal records.<br />

• Specialized units in Gauteng were restructured in order to ensure organized, integrated<br />

functioning. Specialized detective units were also phased out to strengthen detective<br />

services at police stations.<br />

• Canine police members Orca and Prins left with their handlers for Gujarat, India, where<br />

as many as 100 000 people were believed to have died as a result of an earthquake, to<br />

participate in the rescue operations.<br />

• The SAPS launched a new Crime Stop share-call line (086 000 10111). The SAPS,<br />

through Crime Stop, involved the community in the active fight against crime without<br />

subjecting them to the dangers of apprehending criminals or suspects.<br />

• The Captain Crime Stop campaign targeted nursery school children between the ages of

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!