The improvement of communications, coordination and accountability across the South African Police Service (SAPS) is one of the crucial tools that can ensure that South Africans are, and feel safe.
This is a view of the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa in reference to a Parliamentary question posed to him around the department's utilisation of various mediums, such as billboards and public engagements during the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"As the police leadership, our view is that effective communications should not be seen as a function and responsibility of the police leadership and management only, but that it should be a responsibility of each and every police officer within the force".
Through its stakeholder engagement and public participation programmes, the ministry has in the past learnt of various instances where police themselves fail to effectively communicate with society which in turn creates an impression that they are not proactive, when in fact they are.
"You have instances where police search for some of the most dangerous criminals, succeed in arresting them and such criminals get sent to jail for many years. However, police still fail to go back to society to communicate such positive breakthroughs and outcomes.
"At the end of the day, due to this lack of communication, such vulnerable communities still remain susceptible and under impressions that the suspects are still at large. That is precisely the point we are making that this process needs to be improved from top to bottom and vice versa," he said.
Minister Mthethwa emphasised that the billboards utilised during the 2010 FIFA World Cup were part of a broader communication strategy which SAPS implemented, including a broad range of local and international media interviews, stakeholder engagements and utilising partnerships such as Primedia.
To this end, the ministry appreciates the contribution of Primedia who partnered with us in terms of not only effectively communicating through various platforms but also contributing to the many billboards displaying the words: "Come FIFA 2010 World Cup, we are ready" in various provinces.
In total, there were 10 billboards spread across the country totalling R315 000. Some of the billboards were given at no cost to SAPS as they formed part of Primedia's goodwill gesture, contribution and social responsibility to the fight against crime.
The ministry endorsed and has consistently applauded this initiative which has immensely contributed in ensuring that some of the dangerous criminals remain behind bars. In fact, Primedia through their crime line initiative has recorded over 1 000 arrests and R36 million worth of seizures since its launch in June 2007.
The ministry is under no illusion that the negative perceptions about the ability of the police to deliver a safe and secure world cup, a strong message of assurance to both local and international fans was necessary.
This message had to show that the leadership of the country was making this assurance and if history is anything to judge the safety of the whole tournament by, the investment were indeed worthy.
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Minister Mthethwa urges police to improve communications skills in fighting crime
