/ 11 October 2009

Metro police to integrate with the SAPS

South Africa’s metro police service is to be integrated into the SA Police Service to form ”one super police force”, a police department spokesperson said on Saturday.

The project, spearheaded by Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula, would see the SAPS transformed into a paramilitary force, with military ranks and discipline, said spokesperson Paena Galane.

”We need to have one single strong police force, with all police resources being utilised towards the same goals.”

He said it was a waste of state resources to have metro police arrest people, only to hand the cases over to the SAPS for investigation and court processes.

”Metro police have huge resources but do not handle dockets. They do not testify in courts of law. Now we are trying to utilise all the police forces we have in a better coordinated way to win the battle against crime,” Galane explained.

Having metro police departments in every town in the country led to unnecessary public confusion, he said.

The move was also in line with the resolutions taken by the African National Congress in Polokwane to establish a single police service.

Galane said the initiative was still being discussed internally.

”The department will be meeting with state law advisors soon to discuss policy on the matter.”

Meanwhile, the Saturday Star quoted Mbalula as saying police training would have to change to turn the [police] ”service” into a ”force”. – Sapa