Issued by: SA Communication Service
23 April 1998
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE : COMMISSIONER GEORGE FIVAZ.
I am pleased to announce that the first group of security officers appointed in the South African Police Service (SAPS) started with their duties this week.
The 56 security officers were appointed earlier this year after vacancies were advertised in the media. All the security officers, comprising of 42 men and 14 women, successfully completed their training at the Police Training College in Pretoria last week. The training which lasted for one month, has equipped them to provide an effective security service at police premises.
The security officers started with their duties at Police Head Office, and other buildings in Pretoria on Monday 1998-04-20 and will work with the police officers, who perform security services on the posts until 30 April 1998 after which they will be responsible for access control and security at the various buildings. During this interim phase they will receive in-service training and will acquaint themselves with their working environment.
All the security officers are employed in the SAPS under the Civil Service Act, and are not police officers. They have, in this capacity, the same powers as any other security officer. They will wear a uniform with insignia indications SAPS Security Services.
The SAPS is committed to utilise its human and other resources optimally and cost-effectively. The appointment of the security officers release all the police officers who performed such duties until now, to return to normal functional policing duties thereby ensuring an effective security service at our buildings. I am confident that the training given to these young men and women will be sustained in future to maintain efficiency in the SAPS Security Services.
I am also proud to announce that Mr Norman Thabane was appointed as the Head of Security Services, and will report directly to Assistant Commissioner Maritz, Head of Auxiliary Services in the Division Support Services.
Enquiries: Snr Supt Andrew Lesch Communication Officer : Support Services. Cell 082 800 6740