April 1999 Volume 80 Number 4 "serving the protectors"
President’s Message

Staff Shortages

Three motions were passed in relation to staff shortages in SAPOL at a special meeting of PASA delegates on March 19.

The first motion condemned the Government for failing to provide adequate resources to SAPOL with which it could maintain minimum recruitment levels in line with natural attrition.

The Commissioner’s annual reports to Parliament indicate that while 628 police were lost from ’93-’94 to ’97-’98, only 449 were recruited - a shortfall of 179 sworn police.

This shortfall is expected to increase in the ’98-’99 financial year. Currently, 93 police have left, and only 44 have been recruited.

Compounding this problem is that no relief pool of police is available to cover absences brought about by:

• Annual leave.
• Maternity leave.
• Sick leave.
• Injury on duty.

Police Association members would well understand this compounding problem.

The second motion called for negotiations to commence with Government to allow for appropriate recruiting in the face of increased crime rates and insufficient funding across the police budget. Serious crime - such as armed robbery - has increased by over 50%.

Members have expressed grave concern about how this staffing crisis has impacted negatively on their ability to perform their sworn duty to the SA community. Lengthy response times and unanswered calls to the police attendance line - 11 444 - are sad examples of a failing police service. Last year’s $4 million police budget cut has also contributed to the problem.

The third motion endorsed the institution of a public campaign to highlight SAPOL’s staff shortages. The Association will soon begin a radio advertising campaign and hold public meetings.

The current downturn in recruiting is not in the public interest, nor is it conducive to providing a safe working environment for our members. The Association calls on the Government to act - and act swiftly.

Peter Alexander    President