FILE. Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Johannes Khomotso Phahlane. Picture: Vumani Mkhize/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane says he believes on-the-job development along with internal and international training will attract psychologists to the service.
Phahlane spoke to Eyewitness News yesterday following the departure of one of the police's top psychologists and profilers Grard Labuschagne.
Labuschagne raised concerns about the police's ability to retain the services of qualified psychologists and pay them competitive salaries.
Labuschagnes resignation left a gaping hole in the polices investigative psychology section, a unit that helps profile and catch serial rapists and killers.
Its understood at least four psychologists left the unit over the past few years, some after as little as six months.
But Phahlane, who previously had oversight of the unit and knows it well, says Labuschagnes post and others will be filled.
I am committed to making sure that we source from the market those that are available and well continue to invest in their development.
The acting police commissioner admits hiring psychologists is not easy, but says thats a problem thats not unique to the police.
(Edited by Tamsin Wort)
http://ewn.co.za/2016/02/09/Phahlane-Psychologist-positions-at-SAPS-will-be-filled
