Issued by: The National Commissioner of the SA Police
CAPE TOWN: 1997-10-16.
Improved discipline is the cornerstone of SAPS strategy to uplift service delivery and morale, fight corruption and accelerate transformation in policing.
Bad discipline undermines not only democratic accountability, to both Parliament and the community, but also destroys community confidence.
It is significant that the truly democratic countries of the world have highly disciplined Police services with - despite their non-military character - very rigorous codes of conduct.
Disciplinary upliftment in SAPS also takes place within a completely different framework - based on fundamental rights of individuals - from that of the old policing order.
The SAPS disciplinary drive is therefore not a throwback to a militaristic past, but provides all SAPS officials with a valuable tool to improve inter alia service delivery.
To my mind, it is a fallacy that democracy reduces the need for discipline - policing in a democracy is so complex and demanding that higher disciplinary standards are an absolute necessity.
Unfortunately, some SAPS members seem to have confused SAPS demilitarisation with civilianisation - SAPS is most definitely not a civilian agency.
Such misperceptions have led to a deterioration of not only outward forms of discipline - uniforms, saluting officers etc - but also to much administrative and service laxity.
This provides not only the ideal breeding ground for corruption and misconduct within SAPS but also creates a negative image of SAPS.
It is therefore essential that discipline be uplifted before the point of no return is reached.
SAPS top management and I have therefore initiated a broad-based strategy to uplift SAPS discipline, and therefore service delivery.
This includes a code of conduct for SAPS members which has been negotiated with roleplayers such as Police unions and members since last year and which, once introduced, will be meticulously enforced.
The benefits of improved SAPS discipline are immense, including improved service delivery and morale and a higher regard by the public for the policing profession. Transformation can also be speedily implemented without disruption.
Enquiries: Snr Supt Sally de Beer: 082 808 3735