MEASURES IMPLEMENTED TO ENSURE SAFETY OF SAPS MEMBERS AND ADDRESS UNNATURAL DEATHS Briefing to the Portfolio Committee on Police 28 August 2015
Content Background Current Status Analysis of incidents Police Safety Strategy Police Safety Plans Tactical Response Plan Special Actions to Support the Tactical Response Plan Safety Gear Status: Training Interventions Status: Employee Health and Wellness Status: Investigations Hot Spot Police Stations Conclusion
BACKGROUND Attacks on and the unnatural deaths of members of the South African Police Service have a negative impact on various aspects of South African society. During 2011 a Summit was hosted by the former Minister of Police and a Ten-Point Plan was adopted. It is against this background that a comprehensive and multidisciplinary Police Safety Strategy and National Police Safety Plan were developed for implementation to strengthen and operationalise the Ten-Point Plan of the Minister in the South African Police Service. An unacceptably high level of unnatural deaths of members has been experienced lately especially in respect of the killing or murder of a member by a third party which is of grave concern to the Minister and National Commissioner of the South African Police Service and an immediate Tactical Response Plan as special initiative was implemented involving all law enforcement agencies, such as Metropolitan Police Departments, Traffic and private security companies.
COMPARISON UNNATURAL DEATHS OF MEMBERS 2012/2013 2014/2015 UNNATURAL 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 DEATHS ON OFF TOT ON OFF TOT ON OFF TOT Murders 29 55 84 29 48 77 35 51 86 Vehicle Accidents 41 124 165 37 85 122 39 63 102 Other accidents 10 9 19 4 23 27 0 6 6 TOTAL 80 188 268 70 156 226 74 120 194 A decrease of 32 police members or 14.1% during the 2014/2015 financial year in comparison to the 2013/2014 financial year; A decrease of 42 police members or 15.7% during the 2013/2014 financial year in comparison to the 2012/2013 financial year; and A decrease of 74 police members or 27.6% during the 2014/2015 financial year in comparison to the 2012/2013 financial year.
Graph 2 COMPARISON UNNATURAL DEATHS OF MEMBERS: ON/OFF DUTY 2012/2013 2014/2015 Comparison: Overall Unnatural Deaths Police members killed on and off duty 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Murders Vehicle Accidents Other Accidents 2012/2013 84 165 19 2013/2014 77 122 27 2014/2015 86 102 6 Most police members were killed, on and off duty, during the 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 financial years as a result of motor vehicle accidents, followed by members murdered and lastly members killed as a result of other accidents. However, vehicle accidents have indicated a significant decrease over the last three years.
COMPARISON POLICE MEMBERS KILLED/MURDERED ON/OFF DUTY 2005/2006 2014/2015 Province 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 13/14 14/15 Total EC 16 6 12 11 10 11 15 12 11 14 118 FS 1 6 8 6 2 6 7 7 6 4 53 GP 26 38 38 21 24 33 21 23 12 24 260 KZN 23 32 21 28 25 17 14 18 21 19 218 MP 7 7 9 6 4 5 8 3 4 2 55 NW 7 8 2 3 2 1 5 3 2 1 34 NC 1 3 1 2 0 2 0 1 1 1 12 LM 4 2 6 7 8 5 8 3 2 5 50 WC 10 6 10 11 10 7 3 12 15 9 93 HQ 0 0 0 10 16 6 0 2 3 7 44 Total 95 108 107 105 101 93 81 84 77 86 937
ON OFF TOT ON OFF TOT ON OFF TOT ON OFF TOT ON OFF TOT COMPARISON: POLICE MEMBERS KILLED/MURDERED: 2010/2011 2014/2015 PROVINCE 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 GP 17 16 33 14 7 21 9 14 23 6 6 12 10 14 24 KZN 5 12 17 7 7 14 6 12 18 7 14 21 9 10 19 EC 5 6 11 6 9 15 4 8 12 4 7 11 5 9 14 WC 0 7 7 3 0 3 3 9 12 7 8 15 7 2 9 FS 2 4 6 1 6 7 3 4 7 1 5 6 2 2 4 MP 4 4 8 3 5 8 1 2 3 1 3 4 0 2 2 NW 0 2 2 0 5 5 2 1 3 2 0 2 0 1 1 NC 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 LM 0 2 2 4 4 8 0 3 3 0 2 2 1 4 5 HO 2 4 6 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 3 1 6 7 TOTAL 36 57 93 38 43 81 29 55 84 29 48 77 35 51 86
COMPARISON: POLICE MEMBERS KILLED ON DUTY 2010/2011 2014/2015 10 8 6 4 2 0 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 The highest number of incidents of police members murdered/killed on duty, as well as an increase was experienced in Gauteng (4), followed by KwaZulu-Natal (2), Free State (1) and Eastern Cape (1). However, during the 2012/2013 in comparison to the 2013/2014 financial year a decrease was experienced in Gauteng and Western Cape.
CURRENT STATUS POLICE MEMBERS KILLED/MURDERED 1 APRIL 24 AUGUST 2015 (FINANCIAL YEAR) PROVINCE 1 APRIL 2014-24 AUGUST 2014 1 APRIL 2015 24 AUGUST 2015 ON DUTY OFF DUTY TOTAL ON DUTY OFF DUTY TOTAL EASTERN CAPE 2 4 6 1 4 5 FREE STATE 1 0 1 0 0 0 GAUTENG 4 5 9 6 4 10 KWAZULU-NATAL 2 5 7 4 5 9 LIMPOPO 1 0 1 0 1 1 MPUMALANGA 0 1 1 2 1 3 NORTH WEST 0 1 1 0 1 1 NORTHERN CAPE 0 0 0 0 1 1 WESTERN CAPE 4 2 6 1 0 1 HEAD OFFICE 0 3 3 1 2 3 TOTAL 14 21 35 15 19 34 An increase of one (7.1%) members being killed on duty and a decrease of two (9.5%) members being killed off duty during the 2015/2016 financial year period in comparison to the 2014/2015 financial year, and an overall decrease of one ( 2.9% ) member on/off duty.
CURRENT STATUS POLICE MEMBERS KILLED 1 JANUARY 24 AUGUST 2015 (CALENDA R YEAR) PROVINCE 1 January 2014-24 August 2014 1 January 2015-24 August 2015 ON DUTY OFF DUTY TOTAL ON DUTY OFF DUTY TOTAL Eastern Cape 3 4 7 3 5 8 Free State 1 2 3 0 1 1 Gauteng 5 10 15 12 7 19 KwaZulu-Natal 6 8 14 6 6 12 Limpopo 1 0 1 0 4 4 Mpumalanga 0 2 2 2 2 4 North West 2 1 3 0 1 1 Northern Cape 0 1 1 0 2 2 Western Cape 5 3 8 2 0 2 Head Office 0 3 3 2 3 5 TOTAL 23 34 57 27 31 58 An increase of four (17.4%) members being killed on duty and a decrease of three (8.8%) members being killed off duty during the 2015 calendar year in comparison to the 2014 calendar year, and an overall increase of one (1.8%) member on/off duty.
ANALYSIS OF INCIDENTS INDICATE THAT. Most members killed by a third party are attached to Visible Policing as first responders. Most members are killed on duty when responding to complaints or performing typical policing functions, such as searches and arrests (evading arrests and retaliation). Most members killed are between the age of 30 40 with an average of 3-6 years service. Most members killed off duty are victims of crime. Most arrests of suspects are executed within one week to a month after the incident. More members are killed in vehicle accidents than as are result of violence/murder. Most members killed sustain injuries to the head, face and neck areas. Most members killed in incidents of violence are killed by the suspect being shot with a firearm. A decrease in the loss of firearms was noted during incidents where members were killed during the 2015/2016 financial year in comparison to 2014/2015. More members are killed off duty than on duty
Strategic Level Tactical Level Operational Level STRATEGIC APPROACH ADOPTED TO ADDRESS POLICE SAFETY Integrated multi-disciplinary approach to ensure synergy Police Safety Strategy Police Safety Implementation Plan Tactical Response Plan
POLICE SAFETY STRATEGY A comprehensive Police Safety Strategy was developed and implemented. The strategy is intended to ensure the safety of all members and is based on the following five pillars. The five pillars of the Strategy represent the fundamental issues that must be addressed in order to minimise incidents of attacks and the unnatural deaths of police members (including reservists while they are on duty): Governance to establish a standardised regulatory environment to ensure police safety as a priority. Proactive interventions to reduce attacks and non-natural deaths of police members. Reactive interventions to ensure arrest and conviction of offenders, restore confidence in the CJS and serve as a deterrent. Address non compliance and employee health and wellness support interventions for members and families. Monitoring and evaluation to inform prevention, responses, redress and support interventions and to determine whether the strategy is effective in reducing unnatural deaths of police members
ACTIONS TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICE SAFETY STRATEGY NATIONAL POLICE SAFETY PLAN A National Police Safety Plan was developed to strengthen the implementation of the Police Safety Strategy in an effort to eradicate or reduce attacks and unnatural death of police members. Divisions and Provinces operationalise the National Police Safety Plan through the implementation of Divisional and Provincial Safety Plans.
POLICE SAFETY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS PRE-PLANNING: ACCESS CONTROL, SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS AND RESOURCING 1. Situational Analysis and Awareness Assessment of the environment: identify potential threats, root causes and trends in order to enhance preventative measures and access to police premises in order to address safety and security vulnerabilities. Determining of the modus operandi of perpetrators, threats and, trends Profiling of suspects and identifying high risk areas: gang infested areas, descriptions of dangerous suspects and suspicious vehicles and enhance awareness amongst police members to strengthen operational and psychological readiness on a regular basis. Ensuring that adequate, serviceable resources and equipment are available to support and strengthen police members during deployment. Identifying early warning signs of potential depression, stress, suicide, substance abuse, anger and relationship deficiencies and involve Employee Health and Wellness to strengthen psychological and emotional fitness. Conduct research to determine international, regional, national and provincial trends (Tactical approach, skills development and modernized equipment).
POLICE SAFETY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS 2. Skills Development and Maintenance Identification of skills gaps based on operational needs Attendance of operational, tactical and vehicle defensive training by operational members based on operational needs Refresher training and re-skill members to support the maintenance of the skills and operational readiness of all members (Tactical Policing I & II) 3. Raising of Awareness Enhanced internal and external awareness Awareness in respect of personal and operational/tactical safety and security, including road safety Developed and distributed a Pocket Safety Guide Community interaction through CPF structures 4. Contingency Planning Enforcement of contingency planning to determine and prescribe actions required when back-up deployment or support is required during dangerous and medium to high risk situations Reaction capability to react to incidents of attack on members or police stations in an integrated manner
POLICE SAFETY POCKET GUIDE The Pocket Safety Guide provides for the use of basic safety principles in the police s day-to-day operational tasks. The principles cover the following seven fields:- Operational readiness and alertness. Police members must adopt a culture of awareness, anticipation and action planning. Safety procedures when approaching, searching or arresting suspects. Ensuring the correct and effective use of appropriate equipment. The use of tactical communication to avoid the need to opt for using physical force. Exercising caution when approaching dangerous situations, incidents or persons. Always working as a team and never working in isolation. Using the appropriate tactics and techniques when approaching any situation. Maintaining high levels of mental and physical fitness.
5. Investigations and Convictions Prioritised and centralised investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and Detective Service. Involvement of National Prosecuting Authority to ensure appropriate sanctions as a deterrent and assist in opposing bail 6. Hosting of Multidisciplinary Police Safety Committee Meetings Quarterly and special meetings are hosted following an incident to: Analyse all incidents which occurred, Make proposals for the develop and implementation of corrective measures, Ensure that all actions implemented to support police safety are coordinated and synergised Activate on-site assessments Communicate good practices or areas for correction
POLICE SAFETY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS 7. Risk Management Identification and analysis of risks The development and implementation of a Risk Plan The attacks (murders) on SAPS personnel members, on and off duty, was included in the National Risk Register and a risk manager was appointed. 8. Reporting of incidents of unnatural deaths on and off duty Implementation of an Information Management Framework which requires all incidents where police members are attacked (murdered) to be reported within 12 hours after the incident. This information is captured on a national data base and is analysed to inform the development of proactive preventative measures. 9. Police Safety Assessments Multi-disciplinary Assessment Teams conduct on site assessments to reconstruct the circumstances and conditions and to conduct safety assessments to determine level of compliance by members.
POLICE SAFETY PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS 10. Employee Health and Wellness EHW Programmes Debriefing and support 11. Operational Compliance (changed from corrective discipline) Compliance inspections Trial Unit and Compliance Board to address
TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES A Tactical Response Plan was developed and implemented as an immediate reaction to the situation: Address the immediate reduction and prevention of firearm related offences and murders of law enforcement officials. Conducting of proper investigation and review of prioritised serious and violent case dockets. Enhance compliance to National Instructions, Directives and Standards to ensure police safety. Enhance internal and external communication and awareness on police safety. Enhance employee health and wellness
TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN NATIONAL STRATEGY Alignment to Operation Fiela; The establishment of multi-disciplinary dedicated Task Teams on national and provincial level to respond, trace, arrest and investigate all incidents as priority ; Deployment of members in accordance with the Crime Pattern and Threat Analysis to support intelligence driven operations; Ongoing disruptive operations; Profiling and detection of suspects; On-site assessment and analysis of incidents; Contingency planning to support rapid response to incidents; Conducting of docket analysis of all reported cases; Centralisation of prioritised dockets at provincial and national levels; Engagement with National Prosecution Authority re priority prosecution and opposing of bail;
TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN NATIONAL STRATEGY Compliance inspections to ensure compliance to National Instructions, Directives and Standing Orders Prioritised skills development of all operational members deployed in affected areas; Strengthening employee health and wellness by providing immediate support to affected members and families; Enhanced awareness and communication internally and externally Community mobilisation against firearm related as well as serious and violent crime; and Rewards for information which leads to arrests and conviction.
TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN REPORTING All cases involving the attacks (murder) of a police member must immediately be reported to the Provincial Command Centre (PCC) by the relevant authorities. The PCC will activate the dedicated Task Team, who will attend the scene and take over investigation. The Task Team will report to the National and Provincial Heads DPCI in terms of command and control. All incidents relating to attacks of this nature on SAPS officials, as well as on colleagues within the criminal justice system, such as Metro and Traffic officials, will also immediately be reported to the NATJOC.
SPECIAL ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THE TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN COMMAND AND CONTROL Station and Relief Commanders were further instructed to ensure compliance to Standing Order (G) 28 and to the following Directives and Standing Orders, which has a direct influence on the safety and well-being of every member in the South African Police Service:- Conducting of on and off-duty parades in terms of SO (G) 256 during which the following must receive attention: - Inspecting of members to ensure that members are properly equipped with the necessary safety gear and equipment, including the wearing of a bullet resistant vest as prescribed in National Directive 3/34/1 dated 29 July 2011; Briefing of members in respect of dangerous suspects or expected situations when reporting for duty; Inspection of firearms to ensure that firearms are clean, in working condition and well maintained; Sharing of national safety hints, guidelines, directives and contingency planning to enhance awareness amongst operational members; and Conducting of regular visits to operational members during the performance of their duties during the respective shifts; and Bi-annual certification of firearms and bullet proof vests is conducted.
SPECIAL ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THE TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN COMMAND AND CONTROL Implement contingency planning/activation plan to strengthen rapid response to all incidents where members are attacked or killed; Standing Order (G) 341: Arrest and treatment of an arrested person until such a person is handed over to the Community Service Centre. Specific reference to paragraph 8, sub-paragraph 4 (Search of an arrested person); and Standing Order (G) 361: Handling of persons in custody of the Service from their arrival at the police station. Specific reference to paragraph 13, sub-paragraph 6 (Visiting of cells). Divisional and Provincial Commissioners are further requested to ensure that routine monitoring and evaluation visits are conducted at police station and Unit level to ensure that members at all levels comply with National Directives, Standing Orders and Instructions. Also to ensure that contingency and activation plans are in place to react to incidents and that corrective measures and the necessary disciplinary action is instituted. If necessary to rectify non-compliance and to promote accountability to also activate the Trial Unit or Compliance Board
SPECIAL ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THE TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN ENHANCED AWARENESS: INTERNAL COMMUNICATION 1 General safety hints 2 Parades: Safety and operational readiness of police members, including the compulsory wearing of bullet proof vests 3 Role of 10111 dispatchers: Obtaining information of crime scenes and sharing of tactical information with first responders 4 Response and attendance of complaints: Adequate information, serviceable safety equipment, back up, tactical approach, possible ambushes/modus operandi of suspects 5 Compliance to National Instruction and Standing Orders Duties of Station Commander (Standing Order (G) 28) Duties of Commanders on a relief and the investigation of charges (Standing Order (G) 256) Arrest of suspect (Standing Order (G) 341) Search of suspect, vehicle or premises (Standing Order (G) 361) Transporting the suspect (Standing Order (G) 341/361) Detaining the suspect (Standing Order (G) 361) Visiting of police cells (Standing Order (G) 361) Use of restraining measures (Standing Order (G) 350)
SPECIAL ACTIONS TO SUPPORT THE TACTICAL RESPONSE PLAN ENHANCED AWARENESS: INTERNAL COMMUNICATION 6 Safety equipment as well as safe keeping and handling of official firearms 7 Premise security and access control 8 Road safety: Wearing of seatbelts, use of blue lights and response to emergencies 9 Rail safety 10 Attendance of HAZMAT scenes and incidents 11 Professional conduct and discipline 12 Identification of early warning signs: Suicide prevention and prevention of domestic violence related incidents 13 Employee health and wellness support: Trauma debriefing, suicide prevention and domestic violence 14 Application of Section 49: Use of force 15 Attendance of tactical training and Employee Health and Wellness programmes 16 Conduct by off duty police members
AVAILABILITY OF SAFETY GEAR AND EQUIPMENT Members are issued with the following gear to ensure their safety: Bullet Resistant Vests Firearm Retention cords Pepper Spray Handcuffs Torches Safes Additional magazines Additional ammunition Holster with safety clip
13327 7093 6234 14197 9307 4890 11305 7235 4070 12861 6225 6636 7597 3634 3963 13163 11766 11330 23096 22467 13802 18976 12698 23645 8879 14766 36269 31674 69620 82783 AVAILABILITY OF SAFETY GEAR AND EQUIPMENT PROTECTION OF MEMBERS: ACTIVE FIREARMS AS ON 31 JULY 2015 90000 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 HO EC FS GP KZN LIM MP NW NC WC ACTIVE FIREARMS 82783 23096 13327 36269 31674 14197 11305 12861 7597 23645 108 FIREARMS 13163 11766 7093 22467 18976 9307 7235 6225 3634 8879 STORE FIREARMS 69620 11330 6234 13802 12698 4890 4070 6636 3963 14766
AVAILABILITY OF SAFETY GEAR AND EQUIPMENT PROTECTION OF MEMBERS: BULLET RESISTANT VESTS AS ON 31 JULY 2015
RESEARCH: BULLET RESISTANT VESTS (BRV) The current BRV meets with all the ballistic requirements to protect members against potential threats relevant in SA. Problems identified with the vest such as the weight per size and excessive heat experienced with the outer material, are being attended to on a continuous basis by the Division Supply Chain Management by researching new solutions and materials to improve the current SAPS vest. Based on the above the original scope of the research has changed to a modular type of vest in terms of operational requirements and research is now conducted by SAPS in cooperation with CSIR. Testing is being done at the Division Criminal Record and Forensic Science Services, Ballistic Section. All test reports and findings are forwarded for evaluation and determination of the way forward. Samples of ballistic packs from different companies locally and internationally, were tested, not only against current ballistic threats experienced in South Africa, but also to revolutionize outer material for better moist management/comfortability and outer vest patterns for better protection. The safety of our members remains a priority and members are urged to ensure that they have the correct size of BRV and always wear the BRV when on duty
PROGRESS ON TRAINING INTERVENTIONS NUMBER OF MEMBERS ATTENDED TACTICAL TRAINING PROGRAMME NUMBER TRAINED 2014/2015 2015/2016 Basic Police Development Training 2873 545 Tactical Policing Level II 1826 464 Street Survival Legal Principles 3388 418 Use of Firearm: Handgun 4203 496 Use of Firearm: Rifle 3345 408 Use of Firearm: Shotgun 3111 372 Tactical Trainer Development Refresher 0 290 All Tactical Response Team (TRT) members will be undergoing weapon refresher courses 2 968 Public Order Police (POP) and TRT members will undergo a POP refresher course (Added information)
PROGRESS ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUPPORT PROACTIVE EHW PROGRAMMES: APRIL JUNE 2015 EHW AREA NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES REACHED DURING PROACTIVE EHW PROGRAMMES Psychological Services 8 174 Quality of Work Life Management 238 Social Work Services 13 991 Spiritual Services 12 468 Total Employees Reached 34 871
PROGRESS ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUPPORT DEBRIEFING: APRIL JUNE 2015 Number of requests received Number of employees debriefed Formal Trauma Debriefing 507 Multiple Stressor Intervention 46 Formal Trauma Debriefing 1732 Multiple Stressor Intervention 443
PROGRESS ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUPPORT EHW REQUESTS RECEIVED: APRIL JUNE 2015 Entry Organisational Diagnosis Specialised Field Assessments Requests received 8 Number reached 394 Request received 14 Number reached 720 Request received 22 Number reached 349
PROGRESS ON INVESTIGATIONS APRIL 2014 AUGUST 2015 STATUS TOTAL Cases: Guilty (Convictions) 13 Cases: Under investigation 49 Cases: To court or pending trail 44 Cases: Cases pending inquests at Court 9
PROGRESS ON ARRESTS: JANUARY 2014 AUGUST 2015 YEAR Suspects arrested 2014 99 2015 71 TOTAL 170
CONVICTIONS AND SENTENCES NUMBER OF CONVICTIONS SENTENCE 2 Life imprisonment 11 337 years imprisonment (total)
IDENTIFIED HOT SPOT POLICE STATIONS: 2014/2015 2015/2016 STATIONS WHERE MORE THAN ONE POLICE MEMBERS WERE KILLED GAUTENG KWAZULU-NATAL WESTERN CAPE Temba (2) Harding (2) Nyanga (2) Sandringham (2) Johannesburg Central (2) Jeppe (2)
Way Forward Implementation of special training measures focussing on refresher training of operational members in affected Provinces. Unannounced assessments to be conducted at all police stations in affected Provinces where incidents occurred to assess compliance to National Instructions and Standing Orders as well as to identify challenges relating to the safety of police members. National Police Safety Workshop targeting the Commanders of the most affected provinces as priority. Road shows to address all operational members in affected Provinces. Community outreach programmes and interventions to enhance awareness on police safety. Implementation of Police Safety Month during September Awareness campaigns to be hosted in affected Provinces. Spiritual services interventions to address the moral fibre in communities. Police station security assessments to determine security needs and threats. Regular docket and threat analysis. Introduction of harsh sentences for police killings as a deterrent.
Thank you