Who becomes a police officer is ‘for society to decide’
Members of the public will now have a say on who police them.
According to a police spokesperson, Lieut-Col Lungelo Dlamini, major decisions over the recruitment of police officers are in the hands of the public.
The door, therefore, has been thrown open to the public to have its say on the police recruitment process.
“As part of professionalising the SAPS, the national commissioner of the SAPS, Gen Riah Phiyega, has approved changes to the recruitment strategy of entry level constables to ensure that only the best suited candidates are allowed into the police service,” says Dlamini.
A community consultation will help decide the suitable people to be responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.
The following changes have been introduced:
* Community consultation – a community-orientated recruitment and selection process, intended to eliminate risks in terms of corruption, nepotism, discrimination and applicants being recruited with:
Previous convictions/cases pending.
Fraudulent qualifications.
* Promises made for employment in return for favours (such as selling of jobs).
* Local community-based organisations such as CPFs, schools and churches will be consulted with regards to applicants, who are to be enlisted before a final decision is taken as to their eligibility.
* Publishing the names of candidates in the local media for public scrutiny will also be done. This will allow the community the opportunity to comment on the enlistment of the said applicants, who are provisionally recommended for possible enlistment.
* As part of the final selection process, prospective applicants complying with all criteria will undergo a final selection by means of a “Grooming Camp”, where the cream of the crop will be selected.
Activities at the grooming camp will include, but are not limited to, driving proficiency, vetting, integrity testing, fitness assessments, verbal communication and written assessments.
* Presentation of trainees to community: Successful candidates will be presented to the community in the form of a parade, before reporting to the SAPS Training Academies. The community will be afforded the opportunity to give inputs.
– @FanieBoksburg
