Agri SA has welcomed the acting National Police Commissioner’s announcement that all nine provinces may go ahead with the recruitment of reservists for the 2016/2017 financial year in accordance with operational requirements. “A well-functioning reservist system will contribute towards promoting the police’s “back to basics programme” and supplement the police force in rural areas to give further momentum to the implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy,” said Kobus Breytenbach, chair of Agri SA’s Rural Safety Committee.

Reservists will be used mainly in support of crime-prevention operations at station level and to strengthen the capacity of the police during peak crime periods. People who wish to be considered as reservists will be subject to stringent criteria and will be recruited and deployed within the community in which they live. They will be recruited in two categories, namely for functional policing and for specialised operational support.

Functional reservists will perform general policing functions such as serving in the community centre, investigating complaints and becoming involved in home and hearth activities. A reservist in a specialised profession, such as a pilot or social worker, will be deployed in his/her professional capacity.  The reservist will be expected to volunteer for 16 hours’ service per month and to undergo the prescribed training.

Implementation of the reservist system is a matter which Agri SA has discussed with the police on an ongoing basis, even at the organisation’s recent congress. “We call on qualifying members of the farming community to use this opportunity and consider joining as a reservist and to apply at the nearest police station for this purpose,” said Breytenbach.

The reservist dispensation and sector policing must be supported by the farming community in an attempt to expand policing at local level. Further support can be provided by establishing farm watches in an observation and information-gathering role. “These approaches collectively can play a major role in support of more effective policing and the creation of safer rural areas,” concluded Breytenbach.

Issued by Agri SA