Tebogo Monama and Phindile Nkosi
POLICE Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko wants to change the negative image the public has about the police.
To do this, he will in the next three months appoint a reference group to look into human resources issues and discipline in the force.
The reference group will be made up of a group of experts in the legal, crime intelligence and administration fields.
Nhleko said: “Largely the perception about officers is negative. We have a duty to improve the service.
“It worries us because successful policing relies largely on an active citizenry engaging with the police.”
The group will do research and consult the minister. One of the issues it will look into is demilitarisation of the police.
But Nhleko admitted it would not be easy.
“It will not only be about doing away with ranks. It is about different approaches to policing.”
Nhleko echoed Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj in saying there was no investigation of national police commissioner Riah Phiyega’s conduct.
The Sunday Independent reported at the weekend that President Jacob Zuma had instructed Nhleko to put together a ministerial committee to look into allegations against Phiyega. It said the committee would investigate claims that she tipped off Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer about a probe into his links with suspected criminals.
Phiyega’s conduct was the subject of a police probe and the case docket was submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision.