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Overview of SAPS roles and responsibilities and demand reduction

Overview of SAPS roles and responsibilities and demand reduction. Assistant Commissioner Tertius Geldenhuys. Introduction. SAPS is one of the departments represented on the Central Drug Authority

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Overview of SAPS roles and responsibilities and demand reduction

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  1. Overview of SAPS roles and responsibilities and demand reduction Assistant Commissioner Tertius Geldenhuys

  2. Introduction • SAPS is one of the departments represented on the Central Drug Authority • Its activities to combat use and trafficking of drugs are in support of the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan • The NDMP is available on the government website, follow links from www.socdev.gov.za • SAPS must be involved in Provincial Substance Abuse Fora and Local Drug Action Committees – to support integrated action • SAPS must annually adopt a mini Drug Master Plan and report on its implementation to the CDA, that in turn reports to Parliament

  3. Focus areas of the Police • Supply reduction – as law enforcement agency this is our major focus • Demand reduction • Criminal Records and Forensic Science – supports specifically supply reduction, but information is also used for prevention • Training - supports both supply and demand reduction

  4. The Role of Police in demand reduction • SAPS plays a supporting role in regard to demand reduction using mostly: • Crime information and analysis • Visible Policing and Crime Combating Operations • Community Policing • Communication

  5. Demand reduction objectives • Ensure effective law enforcement and proactive policing measures against manufacturing, trafficking, supply and use of illegal drugs. • Prevent and reduce drug use and related problems through mobilizing communities. • Use information generated by SAPS and communities to inform policing and prevention actions by partners • Prevent/delay the onset of drug use. • Build partnerships to address education and prevention of drug abuse and provide treatment

  6. Focus on schools • SAPS and Department of Education formed a partnership to promote Safe Schools and address risk factors such as use of alcohol and drugs in schools and by children • Police stations must work with schools in each station area and sector to deal with law enforcement, visible policing and support prevention • Actions include liquor control operations, drug raids, searches and seizures, patrols in problem areas, awareness campaigns • Prevention programs can be part of sector policing, or make use of Adopt A Cop programs – based on forming relationships between SAPS and school communities

  7. Focus on schools • In practice we found that SAPS members were involved in many different aspects of prevention with various degrees of success: • Initiatives welcomed by communities were not necessarily showing results • SAPS members were engaging in activities for which they were not trained • Experts in prevention and treatment were very critical about some common practices • Many activities undertaken by or demanded from SAPS members were not sustainable • SAPS members are not all trained to present drug education programs, hence the focus is on working with the school community in support of a drug education and life skills programs presented by experts (teachers, social workers, drug counselors)

  8. Demand reduction guidelines • Drug demand reduction initiatives are viewed as a means of “Preventing the use of drugs and reducing the adverse consequences” of such use. • Guidelines are intended to support and give effect to the strategic objectives of the SAPS. • Provide a national, uniform framework and guideline for the implementation of drug demand reduction initiatives by Station Commissioners. • Guidelines have been drawn from local and international strategies and directives/ “good practice” statements on drug demand reduction and related strategies. • The guidelines require that SAPS members focus on policing and law enforcement activities that contribute to prevention

  9. Demand reduction guidelines • The guidelines include a reference section on drug classification with photographs and descriptions of drugs • Drug identification is also one of the training requirements for operational SAPS members and this knowledge is useful when working with communities • For child offenders, SAPS supports a restorative justice approach that requires that children must accept accountability for their actions (this can include but is not limited to diversion) • Drug treatment programs can be included in diversion programs • Participation in Local Drug Action Committees is encouraged as it links the SAPS to other resources and services essential to addressing drug abuse.

  10. Focus areas of the Police • Supply reduction is the main focus of the SAPS and includes: • Investigation of drug related crime and organized crime • Crime Intelligence • Liquor Control • Border Control and Security • International co-operation in regard to transnational organized crime and international initiatives to combat drug trafficking

  11. Measures to Combat Organised Crime • OPERATIONAL FRONT • Organised Crime Threat Assessment (OCTA) • Organised Crime Project Investigations (Intelligence led operations) • Disruptive operations • Mandate broadened with inclusion of SVC • Dedicated POCA Prosecutors appointed • Legislative Measures: Prevention of Organised Crime Legislation (POCA) • Criminalize money laundering • Criminalize racketeering • Gang related activities • Criminal and civil forfeiture • CARA • Instrumentality of crime • Suspected proceeds of unlawful activities

  12. Measures to Combat Organised Crime • SAPS ACT • Corruption Legislation • Section 252A (Regulate undercover operations traps) • Interception and monitoring of cell phones and other communications • Witness protection • Transnational cooperation • SARPCCO • Interpol • SAPS Liaison Officer Network • Foreign liaison community • Interagency Cooperation • Synergy in CJS • Dedicated prosecutors or specialist courts • Develop strategic partnerships with other stakeholders

  13. In a world where national and international boundaries are increasingly irrelevant, the need • for cooperation and coordination among law enforcement has never been greater.

  14. Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill: Challenges • Clause 20(1): Death of service user in Treatment Centre • Clause 29(3): Detention in police cells • Clause 31(8): Detention after enquiry • Clause 36(1): Detention of person pending enquiry • Clause 47(6): Reporting serious crimes • Clause 48(4): Absconder from Treatment Centre • Clause 56(3): Members of LDAC

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