Concern over exodus of cops on policing

National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega must tackle the exodus of police officers as a matter of urgency‚ says the Democratic Alliance’s Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety‚ Mireille Wenger.

“It is concerning that the police have confirmed that in the 2014/2015 financial year alone‚ 7‚000 members left the South African Police Service (SAPS)‚” she said.

Referring to her province‚ she said: “The Western Cape is the most severely under-staffed province when it comes to police manpower‚ with 85% of our stations being under-staffed”.

“These new revelations are cause for serious concern and point to a further decline in the number of officers in service in our province. Given that the Western Cape has vacancy rates of detectives at 14% and visible policing closer to 20% in the previous financial year‚ proper staffing of police‚ which is an essential service‚ is a priority.”

While she was yet to determine how many of the 7‚000 police personnel who had left the service were in the Western Cape‚ Wenger said in the last three financial years‚ the province had lost 1‚127 officers‚ mostly through resignation and discharge.

“The departure of officers puts additional strain on already overworked officers who now must take up the slack. We need a firm commitment from the National Commissioner that this will be rectified as a matter of urgency.”

Phiyega announced earlier this month that the service needs former officers to re-enlist. Salaries will be low‚ however.

“We are looking to re-employ former members and appoint them into the ranks of constable‚ sergeant‚ warrant officer and lieutenant‚” she said in a statement.

“During this re-enlistment process‚ we will welcome applications from former members of all ranks who meet the prescribed criteria which will be advertised‚” said General Phiyega. “However‚ those applicants must realise that they will be appointed at a rank level between constable and lieutenant‚ no higher than lieutenant‚ irrespective of the rank they held when leaving the SAPS‚” she added.

The salary band for a lieutenant is approximately R260‚000 a year‚ according to posts advertised on career websites.

The recruitment drive follows a “thorough analysis of the loss of personnel from the SAPS”‚ the commissioner said.

Amongst the criteria‚ which include a psychological assessment and no criminal record‚ applicants must younger than 50 and must be willing to be deployed out of town – “which may include relocating at own expense”.

RDM News Wire.