More SA cops protect VIPs

[darkevil]

Almost 10 percent of police officers are now tasked with protecting dignitaries, government buildings, railways and ports of entry, according to a SA Institute of Race Relations survey released on Tuesday.

The study, based on figures provided by the SA Police Service, shows the number of protection and security services personnel rose 371 percent, administration personnel by 43 percent, crime intelligence officials by 38 percent, visible policing staff 32 percent, and detective services members by 19 percent between the 2003/04 and 2008/09 financial years.

15 836 cops involved in protection

In March 2010 SAPS consisted of 190 199 staff members compared to 182 754 in March 2009. In March 2009, 15 836 police officers were involved in protection.

"They guard government buildings, ports of entry, and railways. South Africa hosts significantly more international events than any other African country. This might explain the need to expand the size of the protection division," said Kerwin Lebone of the Institute's research department.

"In addition, the Zuma administration increased the size of government through the creation of new ministries. This would have made it necessary to hire more staff to protect state officials," he said.
http://news.iafrica.com/sa/699311.html

No comment......

 

[ToxicBunny]

You clearly are missing some of the point of that article, they are very clear about the fact that its not just protecting VIPs.... the protection division is tasked with looking after buildings, ports of entry, railways and quite possibly a large portion of strategic locations in and around the country.

Yes, there are more "bodyguards" now... but not 150000 of them.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

@B.O.F.H. : darkevil thinks the railway is the Gravy Train Express that they are guarding

 

[darkevil]

You clearly are missing some of the point of that article, they are very clear about the fact that its not just protecting VIPs.... the protection division is tasked with looking after buildings, ports of entry, railways and quite possibly a large portion of strategic locations in and around the country.

Yes, there are more "bodyguards" now... but not 150000 of them.

Was there any reference to me pointing to the fact that there are 150000 bodyguards?:wtf:

In my opinion we can better utilize the added manpower by having private companies do the guarding of buildings and rather have our S.A.P.S members on the streets.

 

[darkevil]

@B.O.F.H. : darkevil thinks the railway is the Gravy Train Express that they are guarding

On the contrary...the members tasked with guarding the railways are not doing their jobs with millions of rand worth of equipment going missing daily and vast tracks of railway lines stolen for scarp metal.

 

[CorneN]

Lies. Bad service. Corruption.

I'd have a 150000 bodyguards as well...

 

[Alan]

Lies. Bad service. Corruption.

I'd have a 150000 bodyguards as well...

They really do a valuable public service. That kind of thing needs plenty of protection.

 

[genetic]

Was there any reference to me pointing to the fact that there are 150000 bodyguards?:wtf:

In my opinion we can better utilize the added manpower by having private companies do the guarding of buildings and rather have our S.A.P.S members on the streets.

I'd rather have police at a railway station than security guards.

That's what police are meant to do anyway...

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

I'd rather have police at a railway station than security guards.

That's what police are meant to do anyway...

I agree.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

"They guard government buildings, ports of entry, and railways. South Africa hosts significantly more international events than any other African country. This might explain the need to expand the size of the protection division," said Kerwin Lebone of the Institute's research department.

Can't we task the military personal to protect them instead of using the limited police resources ? Unless the soldiers are doing something else ?