SAPS in desperate need of police reservists

Over the past ten years the South African Police Service (SAPS) has lost almost 90 percent of their police reservists.

The national police commissioner said in response to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance (DA) last year that the SAPS is 64 000 police officers short of meeting the United Nations police-to-citizen ration of 1:220. In South Africa the ratio is 1:380.

According to SAPS the number of police reservists has declined from 63 592 in 2010 to its current 8 908 members.

The DA said reservists play a critical role in ensuring police have more boots on the ground by supplementing the ranks of ordinary officers, making it possible for more officers to be available for greater visible policing which is desperately needed on South Africa’s streets.

A visible police presence allows for greater police engagement across communities with the expected outcome being a reduction in crime.

Police reservists are members of the community who become part of a support team, on a voluntary basis, either helping with general policing and community safety or doing more specialised tasks.

While reservists are not part of the active police force, they operate part-time and on a volunteer basis. Reservists perform a minimum of 16 hours of voluntary duty per month.

Selection criteria are strict and they must be trained in their functions, wear uniforms, and act under supervision of seniors.

Potential applicants are also vetted and screened for any criminal records, have to be physically and mentally fit for the job and pass psychometric testing.

Members of the community cannot become reservists if they are linked to any industry that may be be required to assist in policing – including the liquor industry (Shebeens/taverns), sex trade, the taxi industry, gambling/casinos or micro-and debt collecting.

Certain fields are also excluded, such as working in the media and private security.

In the latest 2018/2019 report by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) there are currently 9 000 registered and active security businesses which employ 498 435 security officers, which equates to five security officers to every police officer.

Closer to home, Tongaat SAPS have only seven registered reservists while Umhlali SAPS and KDM have two reservists on their books.

KDM SAPS station commander, Brigadier Mhlonga urged members of the community to submit their applications to join the police ranks.

“We are looking for passionate people who are willing to make a difference in their community and help in the fight against crime,” she added.

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