Policing skills in SA fail to meet standard

THE courts have criticised the level of competence of police investigators. In a cash-in-transit robbery and murder trial in 2010, Judge Gamble of the Western Cape High Court criticised the competence of police officers involved in the investigation.

The judge said the investigating officer’s lack of experience and heavy workload led to a sloppy investigation, affording the defence “fertile ground for a protracted cross-examination”. He stated that “it is not in the interests of proper criminal investigation that officers who are not properly qualified or who lack sufficient work experience are put in charge of such complex cases. It plays into the hands of criminals and ultimately the public loses confidence in the criminal justice system”.

A Public Service Commission Report, dated September 2011, tabled in Parliament on July 27, 2012, revealed inadequate training for detectives. Detectives who completed their basic training were not given continuous training to enhance their skills. Many had not completed the basic course for detectives.

“The use of inadequately trained officers may contribute to a low detection rate and may also compromise the successful prosecution of suspects,” the report warned.

What needs to be done to address this problem? I would like to make the following suggestions.

Increase the number of detectives from 25 000 to 50 000.

No new uniform member should be allowed to transfer to the detective branch unless they have a threeyear diploma in policing, or other recognised qualification.

Recruit LLB (law) and BCom graduates directly from universities.

Detectives work longer hours and perform specialised work, and should therefore be paid higher salaries or substantial allowance.

Detectives must be allocated sufficient vehicles and resources.

All detectives must undergo detective courses, and be required to undergo refresher courses every five years.

The voluntary services of retired police officers with specialised skills should be secured to assist in the training of detectives. I am willing to offer my services in this regard.

Police should secure sponsorships from private companies to fund training sessions.

SUBRAMANI REDDY Retired Police Officer and

Justice of the Peace

Further to the R2 million annual revenue this would generate, attacks on beach users would be to a large extent, negated, the economies of small coastal resorts such as Mtunzini and St Lucia would be revitalised and the once very popular camps at Mapelane, Cape Vidal and Sodwana would be more viable on a year-round basis to the recreational user..

WALLY WATT Umhlanga Rocks