Over 1,300 crime intelligence posts filled

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa says he is happy with the performance of the crime intelligence unit. Image: GCIS

Replying to a Parliamentary question in the National Assembly, Mthethwa said that 665 of these posts were promotional and 268 posts were security intelligence, analysts or vetting jobs.

In addition, the minister said 405 jobs were related to clerks and other support services within crime intelligence.

He said that apart from the jobs related to support services, were advertised between the period 2009 and December 2012.

Mthethwa said he was "happy" with some of the progress made in the filling posts within crime intelligence, he noted that more work was required to ensure that all vacant posts are filled.

"Crime intelligence plays a critical role in ensuring proper profiling of perpetrators and verification of case information and has proven very effective in many countries around the world.

"The South African context is no different and requires a serious focus on employing crime intelligence to improving the quality of cases and the number of convictions. In addition crime intelligence must assist police by providing information that will allow SAPS to develop effective strategies aimed at reducing and combating crime and that are guided by the proactive analysis of crime information," Mthethwa said.

Following recently identified gaps in personnel, the minister emphasised that all critical posts must be filled as a matter of urgency.

He has tasked the National Commissioner of Police, Riah Phiyega, to ensure that all correct processes and that the SA Police Service ensures that no irregularities occur.