Johannesburg - Police stations must be responsive to the needs of the communities in which they operate in, acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane, said on Wednesday.
“People continue to fall victim to crime. We as the South African Police Service (SAPS) must represent peace and honour in our communities. We must be an encouragement to our communities. When our communities are vulnerable, they must at least have a direction of where they can go to and that will be a police station. A police station is supposed be accessible and responsive to the needs of communities,” said Phahlane.
He was speaking at a community outreach session in Johannesburg.
The Commissioner and Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko earlier in the day officially opened the Yeoville Police Station in Johannesburg.
Phahlane said while policing is not easy and a thankless job, police officers should not lose hope. “We must not give up and lose hope. Let us contribute to eradicating crime,” he said.
He encouraged the men and women in blue to be more visible and accessible to the public – as well as use police vehicles responsibly.
“More police vehicles are being deployed here. Do justice with the resources you have,” he said.
Phahlane added that while Gauteng has resources, the province is the number one contributor in crime.
“I believe we have the potential to stretch ourselves and make us the number one performing province, Gauteng can’t continue to be associated with a high crime rate,” said the Commissioner.
He said as the festive season was almost in full swing, police needed to escalate their operations and counter criminals.
The Commissioner handed out gifts to the Maria Kloppers Children’s Home which were sponsored by Ram Holdings. – SAnews.gov.za
