Police minister Senzo Mchunu has stressed the importance of building stronger partnerships with communities and restoring public confidence in law enforcement.
This would create an environment where communities would feel safe to work with the police to combat crime and enhance their effectiveness, he said.
“The trust of the people we serve is our greatest weapon. We need to win their trust over and commitment to work with us. Our strength lies in bonds we forge with our communities. The more we work together, the stronger we become in our mission to eradicate crime.
“A police service that commands trust of the people is a police service that can truly make a difference and we implore all communities to collaborate with us,” Mchunu said.
He was delivering a keynote address at the National Police Day celebrations at the King Park stadium in Durban on Monday.
Earning the respect of the public was even more important in an era where policing was not just about enforcement but also a service to communities, Mchunu said.
“We recognise that policing is not just about enforcement, it is about service, building trust between officers and communities and ensuring that citizens feel safe, protected and heard regardless of where they live.”
The event marked the 20th year since the declaration of National Police Day.
It is meant to celebrate the achievements and remember the sacrifices of the men and women in blue.
Monday's gathering was preceded by a number of events at the weekend to mark the occasion.
It started with the national SAPS Golf Day on Friday. The event raised R11m towards the SAPS Education Trust Fund, which is responsible for fulfilling the educational needs of children of police killed in the line of duty.
National police commissioner Lt-Gen Fannie Masemola confirmed that at least 39 police officers have died while on duty in the current financial year.
The golf day was followed by the National Excellence Awards at the Durban ICC on Sunday evening.
Among the notable achievements in the past year were the arrests of the suspects in the murder case of musician Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and celebrity chef Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane and those linked to the mass murder of 18 people in the Eastern Cape.
Mchunu said such sacrifices and dedication should be recognised.
“SAPS is a shield between the law abiding citizens and those who wish to inflict harm on them. You are the first line of defence in our fight against crime, corruption and lawlessness. Every day, you put your lives on the line. Indeed, you go beyond the call of duty. You leave your families to serve the greater family that is our country.
“Without you, individually and as a collective, South Africans would be exposed to untold dangers and harm and therefore you’re the shield for our people and communities.”
Mchunu added that government will continue providing the police with the necessary resources, training and support, and working conditions to help them execute their duties.
“Crime remains one of the greatest challenges facing our nation but let it be clear to everybody that SAPS stands resolute. We will not falter in our duty to dismantle criminal networks, root out corruption and restore public confidence in law enforcement. To achieve these we will go out of our way to ensure that we overcome anything that stands on our way.”
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