Question NW1370 to the Minister of Police
24 August 2017 - NW1370
Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Police
What is the total number of canines that are (a) (i) trained by the SA Police Services (SAPS) annually in the country and (ii) being trained by any law enforcement agency or unit of the SAPS in order to detect narcotics as at 31 March 2017 and (b) trained in the detection of drugs are currently assigned to (i) airports, (ii) harbours and (iii) border posts?
Reply:
(a)(i) The total number of Narcotic K9 handlers and dogs that were trained by the South African Police Service (SAPS) K9 Academy, are as follows:
|
Financial Year |
Number Trained |
|
2014/2015 |
46 |
|
2015/2016 |
29 |
|
2016/2017 |
39 |
|
TOTAL |
114 |
(a)(ii) The Division: Human Resource Development (HRD), Roodeplaat K9 Academy, is responsible for the training of all K9 handlers in the SAPS and the Metro Police Services (MPS), and is determined by the operational need and the availability of resources.
(b) The following Narcotic K9 handlers and dogs were operationally deployed as at 31 March 2017:
(b)(i) Airports RSA
Oliver Tambo International Airport, Gauteng
A total of 14 Narcotic K9 handlers and 14 dogs are permanently deployed and based at the airport.
King Shaka International Airport, KwaZulu-Natal
Two Narcotic K9 handlers and two dogs, from the Durban K9 Unit, are deployed on a permanent shift basis, and complimented from other K9 Units when required.
Cape Town International Airport, Western Cape
Two Narcotic K9 handlers and two dogs, from the Cape Town K9 Unit, are deployed on a rotation basis and according to crime intelligence driven operations.
George Airport, Western Cape
One Narcotic K9 handler and one dog, from the George K9 Unit, are deployed permanently and according to crime intelligence driven operations.
All other major airports in the RSA
Narcotic K9 handlers and dogs are deployed according to crime intelligence driven operations, on a regular rotation basis, in relation to other operational deployment requirements.
(b)(ii) Harbours
Durban Harbour
Nine Narcotic K9 handlers and nine dogs, are deployed on a permanent basis.
All other harbours in the RSA
Deployments are mostly determined by crime intelligence driven operations and regular rotation with Narcotic K9 handlers, in relation to other operational deployment requirements.
(b)(iii) Border Posts (ports of entry)
A total of 14 Narcotic K9 handlers and 14 dogs are deployed on a rotation basis and according to crime intelligence driven operations.
The SAPS has a complement of 262 operational Narcotic K9 handlers and 262 dogs. They are deployed nationally in the provinces, including various airports, harbours and ports of entry, on a rotation basis (day-to-day deployments), according to crime intelligence driven operations and operational deployment needs.