Cop killers warned

FOR those who may be unmoved by the continual murders of our police officers, the grief of their families, or the implications of this vicious sign of crumbling law and order, the South African Police Service offered a statistic.

“In the last financial year,” it said before Sunday’s annual homage day to its fallen, “more than 86 police officials were killed, which means that close to 30 000 people were deprived of police service (one officer to 346 citizens).” Not to mention the devastation the deaths wreak on cops’ families.

Human suffering trumps this calculation. At a time of relentless criminal onslaught, however, the statistic implies a lot of exposure.

Police commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, is right: policing is a highrisk occupation, but joining the service should not mean signing your own death warrant.

Addressing Sunday’s commemoration service, President Jacob Zuma sent a strong message to cop killers, urging police to defend themselves “with everything at your disposal if you are attacked, within the confines of the law. Our laws allow the police to fight back decisively when their lives or those of the public are threatened.”

Police bosses believe there is a lot they can do to shield themselves against attacks: wearing bulletproof vests, more training, steering clear of isolated patrols, and arranging sufficient back-up.

Basic police caution also requires strong reinforcement – by citizens aiding police in the hunt for cop killers, by lawmakers, and by the judiciary. Cop killers contemplating their acts must know they are flirting with hell. They must be ostracised and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

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