Rehana Rossouw
LIE detector tests for top ranking policemen aimed at rooting out corruption in the force have been temporarily suspended while police examine the practicalities of implementing the search for crooked cops nationwide.
Last year, in a well-publicised exercise National Police Commissioner George Fivaz took a lie detector test — which he passed. Questions put to him included whether he had ever been involved in hijacking syndicates and whether he took bribes. Fivaz promised all top ranking policemen would undergo the tests.
This week, police spokesman Reg Crewe said Fivaz had commissioned a report due to be completed at the end of the month, detailing the implications of further testing for senior police officers.
“What is required is an examination of the financial implications and how and where the tests will be conducted. We need to know, for instance, if they can be done regionally,” Crewe said.
“We are also examining whether it is possible to do a package of tests. We would like to include psychometric tests as well.” Crewe said once the report had been completed and adopted, testing would resume as soon as possible. The motor vehicle theft unit would be targetted first, followed by commanders of all other police units.