Police Oversight and Community Safety
Question by:
Hon Gillion Bosman
Answered by:
Hon Reagen Allen
Question Number:
5
Question Body:
- What processes are SAPS officers required to follow in order to become qualified to carry and use their service weapon, (b) how often are SAPS officers required to renew this qualification and (c) in the last 12 months, (i) how many SAPS officers have failed to re-qualify and (ii) what were the primary reasons for these failures?
Answer Body:
The reply of the South African Police Service (SAPS):
5. (a) Before a permit may be issued to a SAPS member, the member must be declared competent to possess a firearm. Competency is determined after the member:
- has received the required training as determined by the National Commissioner. This relates to the successful completion of Unit Standard 120487, which governs the use of firearms in a military and law enforcement environment, and includes Legal Principles and Use of Firearms (as determined by the member’s deployment). Members must thereafter undergo at least one maintenance shooting assessment within a 60-month period, relating to the proper and safe handling and use of the relevant firearm and ammunition.
- can be regarded as a fit and proper person to possess a firearm in terms of Section 9 (2) (d) of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000)
- In terms of Regulation 79(3) of Firearms Control Amendment Regulations, 2020 (under section 145(1) of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000)), members must undergo at least one practical training (maintenance shooting) assessment at least every 60 months, in the proper and safe handling and use of the relevant firearm and ammunition.
(c) (i) 32 members as at 31 March 2023.
(ii) Members failed to meet the 70% minimum requirement.
Date:
Thursday, June 15, 2023
