Eight sector policemen to patrol 64km²

Grave concerns reign after the city’s police sectors have been redefined.

Various parties including members of the public, neighbourhood watches and councillors have expressed their unhappiness with the latest demarcation of the sectors.

It was explained to the Record that two years ago the pie was divided into six sectors with shopping malls representing the sixth sector. Recently the sectors have been reduced from five to four as per provincial instructions.

Whereas Roodepoort previously had 10 vehicles with two officers per vehicle patrolling the five sectors, it now has only eight vehicles covering the 64km².

Two credible sources – one within the service and one a former SAPS member – explained that on any given day an average of 30 members have to be on duty during a 12-hour shift. The problem comes with factors at play such as members being on annual or sick leave, manning the cells (the law requires a minimum of two members on guard in cells), staffing the charge office, on training and unforeseen events such as civil unrest. There also are standing orders that at least 20 members must be out in the field doing visible policing.

To illustrate the challenges facing Roodepoort SAPS, and most likely most police stations, one source made the following calculation.

If for argument’s sake 29 members are on duty, three are on leave, two on sick leave, two on training and two manning the cells, there is no one left to man the charge office. From the 20 who have to be out in the field, eight are patrolling the vast area of the four sectors. Should a crisis such as a riot arise, some of the sector police vehicles will be ‘pulled’ to assist, which leaves the four sectors extremely vulnerable.

The apparent shortage of manpower allegedly is attributed to officers being promoted, transferred and having joined the tactical response team (TRT). The problem can be addressed only once the training college releases new cadets into the field.