‘Unstable’ police officers to work as security guard
‘UNSTABLE’ POLICE OFFICERS TO WORK AS SECURITY GUARDS
By Victor Boqo
Photo : Victor Boqo
2012-04-06 01:00
The NW police head office main entrance, which is one of the stations that the police will have to guard day and night. Photo: Victor Boqo
Security companies that have been contracted by provincial police have been shown the door. They will be replaced by police officers that have been declared unsuitable to work under normal police circumstances. The colonels, lieutenants and detectives will be deployed to guard police stations as from1 April.
Police officers that are included in the definition are those who suffer from epilepsy, post-traumatic stress syndrome, bipolar disorder, depression or other psychiatric illnesses. Other police officers including those who can not carry firearms or contravene the firearm act or that have been found guilty of domestic violence will also be included.
Brig. Thulani Ngubane, provincial police spokesperson confirmed that, ‘As from 1 April, the police are expected to take over the duties of security companies, whose contracts will not be renewed when they expire on April 1. This is a national directive from the office of the National Commissioner, that we will use our own members to perform those duties as this is an effort to save money and improve service delivery.’
This is also per directive of doctors’ instructions to help rehabilitate police members who cannot, or are unfit to, work in a pressured environment as described in the SAPS act.
“People should not make this a big issue and it are not about ranks of the police but systems that is put in place and we, as the police, don’t regard our members as guards but as the police officers. This has been done in line with the labour act, it does not contravene its laws and it is in agreement with labour unions,” said Ngubane.
The police officers will be monitoring people’s movements and protecting state assets. Full uniforms will be worn without any guns. Night shifts are also compulsory.
Some police officers spoke to the Herald anonymously and stated that this has caused a lot of havoc.
They are threatening to resign.’We are really traumatised and demoralised. How can we work as guards without a firearm as there is an escalation of police attacks and crime? We are going to become crime targets. We are going to be the laughing stock of everybody as people will now know that those who are working as guards are unstable.
We were not even informed about this new change and only heard about it through the media. Our unions have failed us.’
When contacting POPCRU,(Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union), in the province, the provincial chairperson, Mr Solly Lekhu said, ‘We are amazed about these changes and it has caught us by a surprise. We have not been informed by the SAPS provincial office. As POPCRU we are not going to support this. It affects the working conditions of the police officers and if the top police officials impose it, we will inform our members not to work. The SAPS cannot try to save money for service delivery at the expense of our members. We are seeking a very urgent meeting with the provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Merriam Mbombo,” said Lekhu.
Another union provincial organiser, Mr Innocent Maimane from SAPU (SA police union) said, “At no stage did we agree with the police officials to take such a decision and to force our members to work as guards. It is only here in the North West province. SAPU headquarters are not aware of this.
We are challenging this decision and what is most disturbing, is the fact that the police officers’ medical conditions are now exposed.”
Police officers that are included in the definition are those who suffer from epilepsy, post-traumatic stress syndrome, bipolar disorder, depression or other psychiatric illnesses. Other police officers including those who can not carry firearms or contravene the firearm act or that have been found guilty of domestic violence will also be included.
Brig. Thulani Ngubane, provincial police spokesperson confirmed that, ‘As from 1 April, the police are expected to take over the duties of security companies, whose contracts will not be renewed when they expire on April 1. This is a national directive from the office of the National Commissioner, that we will use our own members to perform those duties as this is an effort to save money and improve service delivery.’
This is also per directive of doctors’ instructions to help rehabilitate police members who cannot, or are unfit to, work in a pressured environment as described in the SAPS act.
“People should not make this a big issue and it are not about ranks of the police but systems that is put in place and we, as the police, don’t regard our members as guards but as the police officers. This has been done in line with the labour act, it does not contravene its laws and it is in agreement with labour unions,” said Ngubane.
The police officers will be monitoring people’s movements and protecting state assets. Full uniforms will be worn without any guns. Night shifts are also compulsory.
Some police officers spoke to the Herald anonymously and stated that this has caused a lot of havoc.
They are threatening to resign.’We are really traumatised and demoralised. How can we work as guards without a firearm as there is an escalation of police attacks and crime? We are going to become crime targets. We are going to be the laughing stock of everybody as people will now know that those who are working as guards are unstable.
We were not even informed about this new change and only heard about it through the media. Our unions have failed us.’
When contacting POPCRU,(Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union), in the province, the provincial chairperson, Mr Solly Lekhu said, ‘We are amazed about these changes and it has caught us by a surprise. We have not been informed by the SAPS provincial office. As POPCRU we are not going to support this. It affects the working conditions of the police officers and if the top police officials impose it, we will inform our members not to work. The SAPS cannot try to save money for service delivery at the expense of our members. We are seeking a very urgent meeting with the provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Merriam Mbombo,” said Lekhu.
Another union provincial organiser, Mr Innocent Maimane from SAPU (SA police union) said, “At no stage did we agree with the police officials to take such a decision and to force our members to work as guards. It is only here in the North West province. SAPU headquarters are not aware of this.
We are challenging this decision and what is most disturbing, is the fact that the police officers’ medical conditions are now exposed.”
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