Programme Director,
Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lt. General Lamoer,
All Deputy and Divisional Commissioners present,
The SAPS Western Cape Top Leadership,
All Women and Men in Blue,
All SAPS Stakeholders present,
All Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Yesterday, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Leadership led by Minister of Police, officially unveiled our new National Commissioner of Police, General Mangwashi Victoria “Riah” Phiyega. The fundamental importance of this position, was vividly clear when a high number of journalists ensemble at the SAPS College of Tshwane in Pretoria, a media who showed up to witness, scrutinise and give front-line story on our newly appointed National Commissioner.
But, would the same journalists give our new National Commissioner of Police front page when she ultimately defies the odds and skeptics by producing a sterling work against crime in all its facets? I highly doubt because the same journalists more than often fail to give front-page on the very good job our men and women in blue do day-in-day-out.
It is a fact that there are not enough good things said about our police officers and officials that put themselves in the front-line of danger every day for us, heroes and heroines in blue who risk their lives every day to protect our country to make it a better place to live in. What does that say about this country’s journalism and media?
It does then becomes very important that we continue to stress the fact that our achievement as Government in all our nine outcome priorities (including fighting crime and corruption) totally depend on your success as men and women in blue in your ability to perform professionally and proficient, and nothing else.
And, in this instance, I would like to join the Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Lamoer and his Provincial Team, in offering my sincere gratitude to all of you (both recipients of awards and non-recipients) for working hard to create a reality of peace and stability for our country and our continent. And, with the new National Commissioner, we will surely continue the process of building and bettering our SAPS organisation.
When I read that two of the award categories were excellent performance in visible policing officer and detective of the year 2011/12, I was truly pleased. Visible policing and detective work are two inter-twined SAPS programmes that are exclusively critical to fight the scourge of violent crime (including murder and rape) in South Africa.
That is why the Minister of Police had pronounced this financial year 2012/13, the year of the Detective. As Police Leadership, we are now prioritising specialised training and skills development for all police officers so that apprehensions of criminals can be effective and efficient; and that related case investigations are of high quality to ensure harsher convictions.
Confirming what I had said earlier when I indicated that I congratulate the whole of the 19 700 employees of SAPS in the Western Cape, and not only the beneficiaries of tonight’s Prestige Awards.
As SAPS Management, managers should always strive to measure performances not quantitatively, as in producing more of something or doing it faster, but solely on quality, so that the incentives these beneficiaries will be getting tonight will show invaluable benefit for the benefactors of service delivery residing in different communities.
Since then this event is in line with the Provincial Strategic Priority of Performance Management for all 19 700 personnel in the Western Cape, it shows that Lt General Lamoer is serious in making sure that the event is all about organisational excellence that is enshrined in the principle of competence and not that of competition.
For such awards do boost both morale and marvel, where our police officers take more pride in their work, call in sick less often, and be tend to be happier and productive.
But, boosting employee morale is not only about words of encouragement, or resources of incentives and certificates; it is fundamentally about providing and improving the work environment and the general health and wellness of the police officer.
So far, during my outreach programmes across the Provinces, it had been raised that uncomfortable and unsuitable conditions of both work and dwelling environments detriment the police officers’ morale.
SAPS Top Management must see to it that pleasant atmosphere is created both at work and dwelling place of the police officer. Creating a conducive, peaceful and a stable working environment for police officers must then continue to be a priority.
In the same vein, Programme Director, police officers must reliably help the SAPS Leadership and this Government to build a country with a viable system of law, peace and stability, by offering your best performance in your duty so that police win the trust of the people.
It is not only through public engagements that we will win this trust. It is mainly through your commitment, your good cooperation and coordination of your work within the communities that will help achieve our outcome to make all people feel safe in South Africa.
As SAPS Leadership, we thus aspire for a police officer that is fully respected by the people of South Africa. We want you to become a symbol of dedication, commitment and professional service. That is why the police training is now two years and no longer 12 months.
The curriculum is now re-emphasising on police training and skills development in human rights education and effective detective work, because the Government’s goal is ultimately for the police to understand that law exists to protect people and the public interest.
As SAPS Leadership, we support this event because this recognition that is being shown to you here by your Provincial Commissioner, is just not a mere perk, it is a policy that is informed by the Provincial Strategic Priority of Performance. This is a policy system that pays tribute, appreciation and respect to you, our front-line against hardened criminals.
The presence of your loved ones tonight makes this event the more merrier and meaningful. After-all without the support of your families, you would not be delivering such terrific results that you are now being awarded for. Your families then must also attest that, all those hours spent away from home are worth it.
But, remember being a police officer is not a job, it is a calling. As police officers you have chosen to serve your people and your country, you have chosen to be in the forefront to maintain the balance between ensuring the general safety and protecting basic human rights.
And this is a source of pride, not only for your family, but for the President of this country, for the Government that he leads, and for all South Africans. You are all indeed a great asset in supporting and working together with this Government to achieve its goal of making a better life for all South Africans.
I thank you all.
