MBOMBELA- The Portfolio Committee on Police believes that the new police rank structure announced by the Acting National Police Commissioner should be used to promote professionalism in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police on, Mr Francois Beukman,on June 1 said it is imperative that the new rank of Regional Commissioners is regulated and the announcement in the Government Gazette is correct and appropriate.
“We expect a lot from the new Regional Commissioners. They must practically contribute to a more professional and service-orientated police service. They need to ensure that there is significant improvement at the under-performing police stations,” said Beukman.
He added that management interventions by SAPS should identify the root causes of bad performance at stations and implement reliable implementation plans. He emphasised cooperation with the Provincial Commissioners, which will be vital for the sustainability of the new management intervention initiative.
The Portfolio Committee will continue to monitor the cost implications and output of the new structure to improve policing and combat crime effectively.
Beukman acknowledged that a new ranking system could lead to uncertainty. It is essential that the practical implications of the new rankings are addressed through adequate communication with all SAPS members and the relevant stakeholders, he said.
Beukman said the Committee is aware that promotion has been a contentious issue in the lower ranks for some time. He said this is a matter that the Committee will continue to discuss with SAPS management in the coming months.
The Committee is of the view that the strengthening of professionalism and the implementation of the National Development Plan should be a key focus of SAPS in future and the inclusion of management intervention unit is a very positive step.
