Misuse of official police insignia is a serious criminal offence, warns Brakpan police
Members of the public are cautioned about using AI to create posters or videos featuring the SAPS badge or other police insignia.
Brakpan SAPS have issued a strong warning to the public against the unlawful use of the SAPS badge.
Constable Audrey Buthelezi, Brakpan SAPS social crime prevention and communications officer, told the Brakpan Herald the SAPS badge is a symbol of authority and public trust, and that using it without permission can lead to serious legal consequences.
“Brakpan SAPS has noticed several AI generated materials with the SAPS badge circulating on social media platforms for different reasons. This unauthorised use of the SAPS badge is a direct contravention of the SAPS Act,” she explained.
“The SAPS emblem and badge are legally protected and may not be copied, altered or used without the required permission.
“Brakpan SAPS would like to educate members of the public about the importance and strict adherence of the SAPS badge and emblem.
“The use of AI tools to make posters and videos including the SAPS badge may seem harmless, but may be easily misinterpreted, especially because the posters and videos are mostly not verified.
“Such images can be misleading to the public.”
Buthelezi stated this warning is part of a broader effort to prevent the misuse of AI generated images that could mislead or deceive public members.
“SAPS members are also subject to social media rules which regulates the use of social media and restricts the unauthorised posting of images in uniform or the display of SAPS insignia on private accounts,” she said.
“This is a warning to the public to use AI responsibly and to avoid creating and sharing images that could be mistaken for genuine SAPS issued documents.
“The warning against the unlawful use of the SAPS badge and emblem is not limited to the unlawful impersonation of police officers, the wearing of any SAPS insignia including official SAPS uniform, and using AI to change people’s faces making them look like police members, and even AI generated police arrests.”
Buthelezi added that members of the public are urged to immediately report anyone seen using the SAPS badge or wearing an official SAPS uniform without authorisation to the nearest police station.
