The City Times recently received a complaint in which a man questioned the legality of law enforcement officers transporting friends and loved ones in marked vehicles.
EMPD spokesperson Chief Supt Wilfred Kgasago explained that this is strictly prohibited.
“Having civilians, friends and family members in a patrol vehicle – marked or not – is completely taboo,” he said.
The only exceptions are when a person has been arrested and a motorist or member of the public is assisted due to something beyond their power, or taken to a place of safety.
“The danger of having civilians illegally in patrol vehicles is that in the event an accident or a shoot-out, their lives would be in danger and will not be covered by council,” said Kgasago.
“The officer involved would have to face the music.”
However, provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieut Col Lungelo Dlamini said family members may be transported under certain conditions.
“Police vehicles must be used only to effectively deliver services to the members of the community and not for private purposes,” said Dlamini.
“There are exceptional circumstances relating to garaging authority when a member had to perform duties after hours.
“Civilian members working for the service may be transported or be passengers or drive police vehicles, depending on the duties being performed.
“Family members may also be transported in police vehicles if they are going on the same route with a member to work, but members are not allowed to deviate from their route to transport any person other than performing his or her official duties.”
Members of public who witness EMPD members wrongfully transporting people are advised to report this, also providing the registration plate number, description of occupants, place, time and direction in which the vehicle was travelling.
The concerned person will have to submit statements and be a witness in a disciplinary process.
The EMPD communication centre can be called on 011 458 0911 to report such occurrences.
SAPS officers must be reported to the SAPS.
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