One day in each year is reserved for South Africans to reflect on and acknowledge the sacrifices members of South African Police Services make everyday in ensuring the country is a safer place, writes Proffesor Ndawonde.
On this day, we give a thought to those who uphold the dignity associated with the blue uniform a well as remember police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
On National Police Day on Tuesday, 27 January, South Africans are urged to join the South African Police Services in promoting partnerships with communities in fighting crime.
The Director of Communications at the national SAPS office, Shane van den Berg, said on Tuesday officers at police stations across the country will sign memoranda of understanding with various stakeholders in their communities to establish partnerships.
Partnerships are key in reducing and preventing crime, he said, adding that the public could become the eyes and ears of the police. Crime cannot be dealt with effectively by the police alone.
"Establishing and strengthening workable partnerships with communities in the fight against crime and inculcating due respect among our people for the rule of law will make a marked difference in our fight against criminals and criminality.
"If law-abiding communities forge enduring partnerships with the police it will become increasingly difficult for criminals," he said.
An example of such a partnership is the one between the police and Prime Media, which has led to 613 arrests and the seizure of R24 million worth of drugs, firearms and other items.
The police services has also established strategic partnerships with various organisations, such as Business Against Crime, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Community Policing Forums, non-governmental organisations and religious groups.
The Minister for Safety and Security, Nathi Mthwethwa, his Deputy, Susan Shabangu and high-ranking police members have committed to further reducing the levels of crime in the country by improving service delivery and rooting out corruption.
The focus on community partnerships is in line with the Apex Priorities announced by government in February last year. The priorities were compiled to enhance cooperation among all sectors of society and thus speed up change.
Apex Priority 20 specifically deals with enhancing community involvement through partnerships in the fight against crime. This also gave rise to the central communication theme of "Against Crime Together" (ACT) which is strengthened by means of the National Anti-crime Project of Government.
Director van den Berg also said improving the level of performance at stations, including that of its managers, improving command and control and ensuring the responsible use of police/state resources, was crucial in ensuring communities receive the best services.
"Policing at community level will continue to be enhanced through the deployment of trained personnel to stations and the provision of logistical support," he said.
Currently, the police are on a nationwide recruitment drive to increase the number of officials to 190 000 ahead of the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Director van den Berg said the police had done much to improve security in the country ahead of the world cup. At least R666 million has been allocated by government for this. The police's security plan includes working with other international agencies, focusing on border security at the various ports of entry. A state-of-the-art information and communications military technology will be used as well as a fleet of nearly 40 helicopters.
About 31 000 police officers will be dedicated to the world cup and courts will be available around the clock to ensure access to justice during the event.
According to Director van der Berg, the number of officers at the country's borders will be increased from 165 000 members to 193 000 by the end of 2009/2010.
He said this would be complemented by the expansion of the Department's vehicle fleet, equipment supplies, technological infrastructure, and reservists.
In the past year 132 organised crime rings were investigated resulting in the arrest of 470 syndicate members.
