26 January 2007
Cabinet declared 27 January as the date on which a National Police Day for
South Africa will be celebrated annually. The main aim of marking National
Police Day is to reflect on the successes and achievements of the South African
Police Service (SAPS) and reinforce the nation's confidence in the future of
safety and security in South Africa. The celebrations will show appreciation
for outstanding and loyal performance by police officials and civilian members
of the SAPS and pay tribute to those members who sacrificed their lives for the
sake of securing safety and security for all.
This year the national event will be held in the Western Cape at the SAPS
Training Institution, Philippi on 27 January 2007. Numerous events will also
take place across South Africa. These events will seek to engage communities in
the following ways:
* finding ways of improving service delivery by the SAPS to
communities
* mobilising communities to ACT - Against Crime Together - and report criminals
and their activities to SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111
* raising awareness on prevention practices against crimes such as drug abuse,
child abuse, domestic violence, sexual offences and other crimes.
After 27 January the SAPS will, through the Safety and Security month of
February, continue to engage communities on reporting and preventing crime.
Police members will also visit schoolchildren in Grade 12, particularly at
schools situated in station areas with a high crime rate to which priority has
been assigned. Learners will be provided with a specially produced SAPS School
Diary which reflects the SAPS's commitment to children, and contains useful
contact numbers and dates. It also contains information on how to report a
crime, as well as missing persons/children; recruitment and careers in the
SAPS; ranks in the SAPS; the SAPS website; safety hints; firearm safety; a fact
file on drugs; information on sound interpersonal relationships; how to deal
with examination stress; HIV/AIDS; the Constitution, the National Anthem and
the National Flag.
During other events medals will be handed countrywide to members with
longstanding faithful service and certificates of commendation will be handed
to police members in order to show appreciation for outstanding and loyal
service.
At 12H00 noon on Saturday, 27 January SAPS members and communities will hold
a moment of silence to pay tribute to those members who have paid the ultimate
price by sacrificing their lives in the course of their duty.
The SAPS remains committed to doing everything in its power to eradicating
crime and to rendering professional service delivery at all times. A call is
made to the community to come forward with information to help the police in
their fight against crime. To ACT - Against Crime Together, we will be
successful in achieving a safe and more secure environment for all.
Contact Person:
Captain Dennis Adriao
National Spokesperson
Office of the National Commissioner
South African Police Service, Pretoria
Tel: (012) 393 2135
Cell: 082 828 5773
Issued by: South African Police Service
26 January 2007
