Sergeant "Steph" Stapelberg from Alpha-Shift (left) and myself with our WA-19 patrol vehicle.
I am a R/Constable with the SAPS West Rand Flying Squad, and joined near the end of 1998, being accepted in November. Majority of the time I am on patrol or on shift with A-Shift (Alpha Shift), B-Shift (Bravo), or on occassion on "Special Duty", when resources or personnel are low. The West Rand Flying Squad permanently patrols an axtensive area, going from urban and suburban areas to some seriously rough rural terrain. Our jurisdiction covers the following areas : Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, Randfontein, Kagiso, Swaniville, Muldersdrift and Westonaria. We are based West of Johannesburg.
As for tactical firearms training - the SWAT Course that all Flying Squad (including Reserve Officers) and Highway Patrol members have to go through, was completed in October, 1999. Much to my dismay it was not as advanced as one would think it should be, hopefully this will change in the near future. However, there were enjoyable parts to the course, consisting of : grenade drills, petrol bombs, IED's being detonated and house-penetrations/clearing. Due to the amount of risk that South African Officer's face, training in this area is a necessity. At this time advanced courses are currently being run for members of the Highway Patrol only. Whether members of the Flying Squad will get to go through this course or not, remains to be seen. One can only hope that the training will be made available. Unfortunately, members of the South African Police Service DO NOT get enough training in this area, do not have to qualify on an annual basis, and are not provided with the necessary amount of ammunition to train with. However, steps are being taken at this time to upgrade all SAPS shooting ranges and are currently being modified and facilities improved.
In order to join as a Reserve Officer, one has to submit medical forms for which a total of four doctors have to be seen. This includes a full physical from your doctor (or local district surgeon), X-rays for TB and visits to both your dentist and optometrist. Finger prints are also taken and submitted for a comprehensive background check. As of 1999 additional requirements have become standard.
Permenent Force recruits are now required to complete the above and attend the Police Academy for a period of one year (no longer six-months) in Pretoria before being assigned to their respective units.
An SAPS West Rand Dog Unit Opel Kadett 200is - our Highway Patrol use 3 and 5-series BMWs. Our Opels are now being slowly replaced with the new (and faster) Toyota RSI's.
Original SAPS West Rand Flying Squad patrol units, ready for duty.
An old WA-unit now used strictly for Reserve Officer's (one of two). These vehicles are kept on the road by donations from the public, and funds aquired from Reserve Officer's.
Members of the SAPS Highway Patrol, (from left to right) Inspector Miller, Sergeant Koch, Captain van der Merwe (Station Commander of the West Rand Flying Squad and Highway Patrol) and another Officer. Picture taken (by myself) while on a Special Operation using members of the SAPS Highway Patrol, SAPS Public Order Policing Unit and the South African Airforce to combat vehicle theft syndicates.
Issued .223/5.56mm R-5 rifle with full-auto/semi-auto selector switch.
The SAPS West Rand Flying Squad is located just West of Johannesburg (underlined in blue), comprising of several cities, of which would equate to a "County" by US standards, although we remain a national Police Service and can work throughout the country, either (temporarily) with Station Commander approval or by permanent transfer.
