Cops to beef up tech

Johannesburg, 05 Jun 2009

The newly-formed Department of Police says integrating its IT systems and upping its cyber crime capabilities are key in the fight against organised crime.

Speaking in Parliament during the debate on president Jacob Zuma`s state of the nation address, police minister Nathi Mthethwa said crime levels are still well above government targets and efforts must be stepped up.

Zuma promised in his address that government would stick to its target of reducing crime by 7%-10% a year.

"We are going to be tough on criminals. We believe that crime, and perceptions about it, are such a serious matter in our country that all of us need to give added attention to the issue."

Mthethwa added the department would focus its attention on fighting organised crime. One of the three key initiatives in this fight would be the intensifying of police efforts against cyber crime and identity theft.

He added that the department needs to ensure the "maximum and efficient utilisation of facilities and infrastructure", which includes the integration of IT systems. The minister stated this would improve conviction levels in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

While not going into any details, Mthethwa stated that enhancing detective, forensic and intelligence capabilities is critical. He added that processes are under way to improve the fight against crime using information and technology as a key tool.

In his address, Mthethwa said the department will pay particular attention to combating corruption and fraud in procurement and tender processes, application for drivers` licences, social grants, IDs and theft of police case dockets. This would ensure government would establish a transformed, integrated, properly-resourced and well-managed criminal justice system, he said.

Cyber crime units

Mthethwa, however, gave no indication of the level of support that will be given to cyber crime units and initiatives. He also did not mention whether both the SAPS and the newly-established Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) would have cyber crime units, or if there would only be a single unit.

The SAPS has a cyber crime division - Cyber Crime Support Services - which provides IT support to organised crime-fighting units. The DPCI has absorbed the functions of the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), or Scorpions, which housed the cyber crime unit.

While the Scorpions gained a reputation for being effective, it is not known how the merger will impact cyber crime-fighting initiatives in the government department. Prosecutors who worked in the Scorpions unit are scheduled to remain in the NPA, while the investigators would be relocated into the SAPS.

ITWeb recently reported that the DSO`s cyber crime investigators have not yet been incorporated in the SAPS cyber crimes unit, following the disbanding of the DSO in January.

Failing tech

The department also has to find solutions to troubles within its 10111 centres. Following an unfavourable report by the auditor-general (AG) on the emergency centres, the department says it`s still studying the report, but will address the AG`s concerns.

The report states the use of technology did not have the desired outcome. The AG said police response times were low, even though centres were equipped with modern radio communication and telephony systems.

The report, which was conducted over two years, concluded there was a lack of adequate and functioning equipment, and inadequate contingency plans for centres to remain operational during systems damage or systems failure.