Police promote safer policing

THE senseless killing policemen and women has prompted the launch of an internal communications initiative with the aim to promote and sustain police safety.

A poster was researched and developed by Captain Louise Le Roux, sub-section commander of the media monitoring division at Brighton Beach.

le Roux said police officials can create a safe working environment for themselves by being aware of the modus operandi of attacks on police officials in their area and neighbouring police stations.

“Be aware of hot spots, dangerous areas and wanted persons in the area, and the areas they may venture into when pursuing, tracking and tracing criminals. They should constantly be aware of their vulnerability as a police official; always being alert and aware of their surroundings,” she said.

Le Roux said police should ensure that their service pistols, including the magazine, are in a serviceable condition at all times and that expired ammunition is replaced timeously.

“They must wear a serviceable bullet-resistant vest. The ceramic plate must be utilized at all times when on duty, this includes members that perform duties in the Community Service Centre. They must also equip themselves with a set of handcuffs, pepper spray, radio and torch when reporting for duty. Ensure that the radio is fully charged and in a serviceable condition and always stay in radio contact,” she said.

Le Roux said officers could protect themselves by not talking, texting or listening to music on mobile devices while on patrol, be it on foot or vehicle bound, as it affected their level of alertness and observation capabilities of their surroundings. This also applies to members performing duties in the Community Service Centre.

“Officers should utilise a serviceable state vehicle. As an authorized driver of a state vehicle, they must ensure that a thorough pre-trip inspection of the vehicle is conducted. This could prevent a breakdown occurring/being stranded, which could result in the members exposing themselves to an assault on their lives,” she said.

Le Roux said officers must never respond to a complaint alone and must always work in pairs.

“Every complaint or situation must be approached as serious, as the level of threat is not always known. The correct tactical approach procedures must be applied to each situation to ensure their safety at all times. If the situation is volatile or becomes volatile they must always call for back-up. They must apply the correct tactical procedures when approaching or searching a suspect, vehicle, house or building. They must always restrain a suspect after he or she has been searched and apply the correct procedures when transporting a suspect or suspects or when placing them in the holding area or cells. Leg irons and handcuffs must be utilized,” she said.

She said police officers must never visit cells alone and the member entering the cell must not carry a firearm. The member guarding the cells' gate/door must always be armed.

“Community members are urged to report those individuals who are involved or responsible for the senseless killing of our men and women in blue, by making an anonymous report through the various crime reporting mechanisms made available by SAPS,” said Le Roux.

Visit: www.crimeline.co.za, use the SMS Hotline at 32211 and Crime Stop on 08600 10111.