The Portfolio Committee on Police, in its efforts to improve police professionalism and conduct, has adopted five measures during last week’s Budgetary Review Recommendation Report (BRRR).
The five measures, according to Committee Chairperson Mr Francois Beukman, were supported by all political parties in the Committee and include the following:
1. The Committee recommends that the South African Police Service (SAPS) continue with its plan to demilitarise the service through training and professionalisation and determine the budget of such processes over the medium term and provide the Committee with a report.
2. The Committee recommends that the SAPS proceed with the professionalisation of the service and that it provides the Committee with a report on the processes and timelines it will follow to achieve this ministerial priority.
3. The Committee recommends that the SAPS complete its planning for demilitarisation and provide the Committee with a project plan and timelines for its implementation.
4. The Committee supports the establishment of an independent panel of experts on transformation in the SAPS and the Transformation Task Force led by the Deputy Minister in furtherance of the implementation of the Farlam Commission recommendations.
5. The Committee recommends that the SAPS develop action steps to reduce and limit the budgeted amounts for civil claims against the police.
Mr Beukman said that the Committee expects quarterly reports from Police Management on these recommendations.
He added that the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the National Development Plan (NDP) is critical to ensure that a culture change of demilitarisation takes place and relations between the police and community are improved.
The BRRR recommendations are therefore aimed at fast-tracking the implementation of the NDP as it relates to the SAPS. “Police conduct must be in line with the Constitution and the rights of citizens must be protected at all times. The interaction between the citizenry and the police must be one of mutual respect and appreciation of their respective roles,” said Mr Beukman.
According to Mr Beukman, the SAPS should be viewed as professionals working in a skilled occupational group to protect the public.“Ethical conduct should be practised to maintain the public perception of policing as a professional institution.”
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Temba Gubula
Tel: 021 403 8307
Cell: 078 735 8809
E-mail: tgubula@parliament.gov.za
