Policing Powers for the SANDF
Basically there is no substitute for command, and the ability and willingness to execute it.
Points to consider include:
· To what extent should the policing powers of the Commandos (Territorial Forces) be increased? Should these elements be linked to the Military Police?
· What powers, when a State of Emergency or Martial Law, has not been declared, be accorded to the Defence Force members when acting in support of the South African Police Services ?
· Could the Police Act be amended to provide the required authority and protection for members of the SANDF under certain circumstances?
· Is adequate training given to SANDF members in respect of Police-support-duties?
· As the Territorial Force’s primary task is defined as Rear Area Protection, very much in line with that of the French Gendaramie who have full policing powers, is there any reason why they should not be incorporated in the existing Military Police?
· Could Powers of Arrest be granted to specified SANDF rank levels?
There is no question that detailed information concerning the international approach is not readily available. It is simply a question of seeking and requesting details and studying structures in other countries detailing systems which support law-enforcement agencies by the military and how they work under the provided legislation, should provide a much needed basis from which to work.
What may be of interest to the committee is that I have arranged for Major General Roger W SandIer, USA (Retd) to once again visit South Africa. As a highly qualified officer, General SandIer was commissioned by the Pentagon to provide the structure and legislation for the establishment of Active Reserve Force units in countries other than the United States.
As the executive director of the United States Reserve Officers' Association. which is incorporated by the United States Congress he is familiar with the requirements and limitations of NATO members' defence forces and most other national military formations.
Attention could also be given to the recent creation of defence forces by the new nations in the Balkans, in what was formerly Yugoslavia, as an example the defence force of Croatia which recently came into being was re-engineered from a regional police force during a state of conflict. This could provide some interesting reverse examples of military/police co-operation.
SJ McIntosh
AFRICAN ARMED FORCES JOURNAL
April 25, 2000