SAPS tightens discipline

The South African Police Service have implemented a more effective disciplinary system in its structures. In a recent media release, the SAPS will soon launch a new national disciplinary trial unit, which will deal distinctly with all forms of misconduct within police ranks.

This follows after the police have on numerous occasions come under criticism for the way some disciplinary issues are being handled due to lack of consistency and some disciplinary proceeding taking too long.

Police realise their image has grossly been affected as public confidence of the police has eroded. In the case where officers are suspended with pay, raises a serious question, in that it creates wasteful financial implications and does not imply strict discipline.

The new national trial unit will be a new approach in handling disciplinary issues within the police. This approach will be informed by the desire to manage discipline in a sustainable manner. With these considerations in mind, the national commissioner of the police, General Riah Phiyega has approved the formation of this unit. The disciplinary approach and the people staffing the unit are in line with the policies strategic plan for 2014 to 2019, with the primary aim being to modernise issues dealing with disciplinary cases in the police.

“We are confident this unit would firstly serve to speedily finalise departmental cases and secondly serve as huge deterrent to any potential wrongdoers within our ranks,” said Phiyega.

This system will be in line with the concept document of the new trial unit, where all disciplinary sanctions with the police would be standardised, meaning the sanctions for identical transgressions would carry the same level of punishment. This would be to reduce risks associated with the handling of serious crimes, as new members of the unit would not deal with serious misconduct from the province they live in.

Enquiries: Vishnu Naidoo on 082-567-4153.

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