Transcript Overview of SAPS roles and responsibilities and demand reduction

Overview of SAPS roles
and responsibilities and
demand reduction
Assistant Commissioner
Tertius Geldenhuys
Introduction
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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
Focus areas of the Police
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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
The Role of Police in demand
reduction
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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
Demand reduction objectives
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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
Focus on schools
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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
Focus on schools
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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)
Demand reduction guidelines
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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
Demand reduction guidelines
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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.
Focus areas of the Police
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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
Measures to Combat
Organised Crime
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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
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Legislative Measures: Prevention of Organised Crime
Legislation (POCA)
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Criminalize money laundering
Criminalize racketeering
Gang related activities
Criminal and civil forfeiture
CARA
Instrumentality of crime
Suspected proceeds of unlawful activities
Measures to Combat
Organised Crime
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Transnational cooperation
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SAPS ACT
Corruption Legislation
Section 252A (Regulate undercover operations traps)
Interception and monitoring of cell phones and other
communications
Witness protection
SARPCCO
Interpol
SAPS Liaison Officer Network
Foreign liaison community
Interagency Cooperation
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Synergy in CJS
Dedicated prosecutors or specialist courts
Develop strategic partnerships with other stakeholders
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In a world where national and
international boundaries are
increasingly irrelevant, the need
for cooperation and coordination
among law enforcement has
never been greater.
Prevention of and Treatment
for Substance Abuse Bill:
Challenges
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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