Militarization is a narrow mechanism to curb crime
Senior Researcher argues Militarization cannot be a long time-term solution to crime
POPCRU has noted the well thought article written in the Mail & Guardian Comment and Analysis, June 18 2010 titled "Warriors of the peace" by Gwinyayi Dzinesa has struck the nail on the head.
He has characterized the dangerous terrain of imposing militarization of the police, in which in countries such as Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, as few examples, where the rule by fist has not yielded the required results - to scale down the killings and/or criminality. While the policies of shoot to kill were implemented, he further continues to say "they were greeted with popular discontent on the basis that many innocent people were killed by the police in crossfire".
Our contention is that basic human rights are fundamental rights worthy of enhancement and protection, and we are as such committed to the creation and development of a security establishment, which is the just expression of the will of the people, a system which will reflect co-operation between our members and the community in an effort to truly serve, and protect all members of our society.
We regard the implementation of the military rank system as an imposition of a policy which is in contrast with policies of the African National Congress. We further view this kind of system as a way of reversing the already started process of transforming the South African Police Service from the culture of brutalizing the community to the one that offers safety and security and to the citizens of South Africa as a whole.