Nqakula does something right!

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IanC

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Syndyre said:
He only said they should use maximum force if their lives or the lives of the public are in danger. Seems fair enough to me.
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Police must use maximum force when dealing with violent criminals in order to protect themselves and people around them, Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula said on Wednesday. [LINK]
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Firstly, the order he put their priorities in, worries me i.e. first police, then the public. Shouldn't the general public be their first priority?

Maximum force is, for the most part, discredited. Take the example of the pursuit of cars in the UK: rather than going "balls-to-the-wall" after criminals the police employ technology to capture the suspects. The reason is that "balls-to-the-wall" car pursuits tended to result in the death of innocent civilians.

Please do not take me the wrong way, I am not holding up other police forces as an indictment of the SAPS, what I am saying is that the SAPS (and in particular, Charles Nqakula) should learn from the mistakes of others.

Maximum force is never a good thing.
 
R

R/SGT

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Reservist

Hi guys

I am a Reservist in SAPS, I hold the rank of Sergeant and have been doing this for about 5 years. My day job is that of Senior Technical Buyer (So I don’t think I am one of the dumb ones)

As for the categories here they are

Category A Reservist — Functional policing:
perform functions in all operational facets of policing either at station,
area or provincial level, but not specialised functional duties
may wear a uniform and carry a firearm
will be trained in relevant aspects of functional policing.

Category B Reservist — Support services:
perform specific support functions in an administrative capacity at
national, provincial, area or station level and may not perform functional policing functions
do not wear uniform
where necessary, be trained in relevant legal aspects, policy and instructions applicable to his or her specific functions.

Category C Reservist — Specialised functional policing:
must have particular skills or expertise which can be used operationally by the Police Service, e.g. pilots, doctors, divers, social workers, or psychologists
will perform specific functions in his or her field of expertise
may, with the approval of his or her commander, wear a uniform
must be trained in relevant legal aspects, policy and instructions applicable to his or her specific function.

Category D Reservist — Rural and urban sector policing:
perform functions in operational facets of policing related to sector policing in urban and rural areas in a specific sector at station level; or will only perform duties in specified areas within a specific sector as determined by the commander
may wear a uniform depending on utilisation
must be trained in relevant aspects of sector policing and/or functional policing relating to his or her duties. Additional training will be required if involved in sector policing functional operations.

I am a "A" reservist, I work outside on the vehicles and respond to all incidents, I have the same authority as an ordinary policeman when on duty.

Before anybody starts criticising the reservists I would invite him or her to ride along with them on a Friday night and see what the real world is like

This is the reality at the moment :(
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=335122

South African Police Officers fallen in the line of duty :(
http://www.wallofhonour.co.za/
 
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R/SGT

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You name it

Sometimes its dead quite other times it so busy that you hardly have time to breathe.

I have seen things that no person should have to deal with; I have attended numerous murders, assaults, suicides, car accidents, domestic violence, housebreakings, thefts, armed robberies, hijackings, motor vehicle accidents, house fires and many more.

I have been shot at in the townships and not been able to shoot back for fear of hitting an innocent person.

I have arrived in time and I have arrived only to pick up the pieces
 
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Syndyre

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So what makes you want to carry on doing it? (Not trying to be stupid, just interested what motivates you)
 
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IanC

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Syndyre said:
What is it like then?
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I would like an answer to that question as well.

Is the equipment (vehicles, radios, etc) situation as bad as is made out in the media?

I seem to remember a news broadcast where Minister Nqakula said something along the lines of a lack of equipment would not be tolerated as a reason not to respond to an incident, I'll bet that went down really well in police circles :rolleyes:?

Now the aforementioned minister, who called the victims of crime "whingers", is advocating the use of maximum force, which is bound to lead to tragedy.

Nqakula only opens his mouth to change feet.
 
R

R/SGT

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That’s a difficult question

I do it because I enjoy it and I feel it is my bit to help others.
There is a certain adrenaline and ego boost involved

There are the gun ho types who think it will be fun but they don’t usually last past the first murder, first from seeing the body and then form the tons of accompanying paperwork and boy is there a lot of paperwork


As to your question regarding equipment, yes it is that bad if not worse

Not enough vechiles
No equipment on vechiles (blue lights, sirens and radios)
No bulletproofs (I hang on to my for dear life)
Firearms that are not properly maintained
No hand radios

Most reservist purchase their own equipment and are usually better equiped than the permanent force members
 
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Syndyre

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Why, what sort of equipment do you need to purchase? Bullet proof vests etc?
 
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R/SGT

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