INLSA
The move by police bosses to replace private security companies with police officers and reservists to protect police buildings has been given the thumbs-up.
The move by police bosses to replace private security companies with police officers and reservists to protect police buildings has been given the thumbs-up by a security expert.
Institute for Security Studies senior researcher Johan Burger said the SAPS would save millions by using its own officers to guard its properties.
The SAPS announced recently that it would no longer use private security companies to look after police stations.
Police spokesman Lindela Mashigo said the new arrangement was already in place.
Burger said the success or failure of the new arrangement depended on how it was managed.
He had always questioned the use of private companies to protect police stations, which were occupied by well-armed police officers, he added.
“I understand the SAPS wants to save money. The millions spent paying private companies can be used to renovate police stations and other important requirements,” said Burger.
He warned, however, that this should not adversely affect the police officers’ core duties.
“The senior police officers should not be disturbed from doing their jobs.
“Junior police officers can be used as gatekeepers for short periods while junior-juniors use this to gain experience,” Burger said.
This would give reservists an opportunity to earn money, he said.
“Reservists who are posted at the gates should be provided with training and the right equipment (guns and two-way radios),” said Burger.
Although reservists are required to adhere to police rules, they are not paid for the time they spend fighting crime.
The SA Police Union (Sapu) also supported the idea of doing away with private security companies at the country’s police stations.
However, the union said, this might be a problem since the SAPS did not have enough personnel to guard all the country’s police buildings.
Sapu provincial secretary Vusi Shabalala said the union’s feeling was that the SAPS wanted to encourage reservists. “We will support the police if they can permanently employ reservists.
“The reservists are properly trained and have the same understanding (of law and order) as police personnel trained at police academies,” Shabalala said.
An unnamed police reservist said the idea was welcome as long as the reservists were paid.
Mashigo warned, though, that reservists would only be paid stipends when asked to work.
He said this did not mean that they would be automatically employed.
The SAPS had permanent officers who were trained to work as guards.
