Minister of Police Bheki Cele recently published the South African Police Service Amendment Bill for public comment. The Bill also includes a number of additional requirements for those who are hopeful of becoming a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The 2020 South African Police Service Amendment Bill has been a long time coming. The current South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995), predates the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
There were a number of imperatives that led to a full review of the Act which included the need to address shortcomings in the legal framework which governs the police service.
While there are existing requirements for mental and physical fitness, as well as education, the draft Bill proposes that a number of additional considerations come into play when screening an applicant for the job.
One of the proposed requirements is a lifestyle audit. This will ensure applicants are not living above their income. The lifestyle audit may also be used to determine whether there are indicators that the applicant may abuse their power as a SAPS member for personal gain if successful
Thus, applicants may be required to fully disclose their income and expenses, membership to entities such as board, institutions and directorships, as well as determination of contracts with the state.
Another proposed amendment is having applicants go through an integrity test. This can be defined as a personality test that is designed to determined whether a candidate is both honest and dependable.
This test may include the following:
– A polygraph test
– The taking of fingerprints
– Taking a buccal sample to be analysed for a DNA profile
The integrity test would fall under the responsibility of the SAPS human resources department.
In addition, the penalty for certain crimes relating to the abuse of police equipment is increased through the Bill.
The bill is open for public comment. All interested persons and organisations are invited to submit written comments on the draft Bill no later than November 14, 2020 by:
– e-mail to: [email protected](link sends e-mail)
– posting comments to Secretary for Police Service, for attention of Dr. PC Jacobs at:
Civilian Secretariat for Police Service
Private Bag X922,
PRETORIA
0001
– hand delivery at the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service at Van Erkom Building, Van Erkom Arcade, 7th Floor, 217 Pretorius Street PRETORIA.
View the draft bill here: saps_amendment_bill_2020
Also read: New police bill aims to change how police and public interact
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