If the way employees die is a direct cause of their working environment, the employer has a certain responsibility to address or prevent these contributing conditions in the environment. Research reports indicate that police officers have higher suicide rates compared to the rates of the general population. Increasing suicide rates for police officers in recent years have been reported for the United States and Australia. Very limited research data for this phenomenon, especially within the South African Police Service, Limpopo Province was found. Previous research on suicide ideation focused on social and individual factors. A research project was launched to determine the relationship between certain demographic variables, coping strategies and stress factors which can be linked to suicide. Research was conducted by means of a cross-sectional survey design. A random, stratified sample (n=204) of uniformed police members was taken from police stations in the province. The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, the Police Stress Inventory, the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced Questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Results of a stepwise discriminant analysis showed that the combination of race, the use of seeking emotional support as coping strategy and size of police stations can predict 75% of high suicide ideation cases and 25% of low ideation cases. It was found that 5,88% of the police officials had significant suicide ideation levels. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Suicidal behaviour is one of the most tragic events in human life causing serious emotional, spiritual, medical, social and psychological distress for individuals, family and fiends. In addition, it imposes a great economic problem for the individual, family, and society. In the South African Police Service an alarming rate of 4 per 10 000 suicides has been indicated in previous years. Due to the escalation of suicide rates it is regarded as a major public health concern. Several studies have been done regarding suicide and law enforcement agencies but few regarding suicide ideation in law enforcement agencies. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among coping, stress and suicide ideation of police officials in the Gauteng Province within the SAPS. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random, stratifies sample was taken from police officials in the Gauteng Province (n = 266). The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, Police Stress Inventory, the COPE Questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The results of this study indicated that the factors that predict suicide ideation best are the following: a previous suicide attempt, passive coping styles, to be charged in terms of the disciplinary code, medical conditions and gender. The results also indicated that 9,02% of the sample showed significant levels of suicide ideation. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

If the way employees die is a direct cause of their working environment, the employer has a certain responsibility to address or prevent these contributing conditions in the environment. Research reports indicate that police officers have higher suicide rates compared to the rates of the general population. Increasing suicide rates for police officers in recent years have been reported for the United States and Australia. Very limited research data for this phenomenon, especially within the South African Police Service, Limpopo Province was found. Previous research on suicide ideation focused on social and individual factors. A research project was launched to determine the relationship between certain demographic variables, coping strategies and stress factors which can be linked to suicide. Research was conducted by means of a cross-sectional survey design. A random, stratified sample (n=204) of uniformed police members was taken from police stations in the province. The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, the Police Stress Inventory, the Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced Questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. Results of a stepwise discriminant analysis showed that the combination of race, the use of seeking emotional support as coping strategy and size of police stations can predict 75% of high suicide ideation cases and 25% of low ideation cases. It was found that 5,88% of the police officials had significant suicide ideation levels. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Suicidal behaviour is one of the most tragic events in human life causing serious emotional, spiritual, medical, social and psychological distress for individuals, family and fiends. In addition, it imposes a great economic problem for the individual, family, and society. In the South African Police Service an alarming rate of 4 per 10 000 suicides has been indicated in previous years. Due to the escalation of suicide rates it is regarded as a major public health concern. Several studies have been done regarding suicide and law enforcement agencies but few regarding suicide ideation in law enforcement agencies. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among coping, stress and suicide ideation of police officials in the Gauteng Province within the SAPS. A cross-sectional survey design was used. A random, stratifies sample was taken from police officials in the Gauteng Province (n = 266). The Adult Suicide Ideation Questionnaire, Police Stress Inventory, the COPE Questionnaire and a biographical questionnaire were administered. The results of this study indicated that the factors that predict suicide ideation best are the following: a previous suicide attempt, passive coping styles, to be charged in terms of the disciplinary code, medical conditions and gender. The results also indicated that 9,02% of the sample showed significant levels of suicide ideation. Recommendations for future research were made. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was formed in 1994 after the integration of different “defence forces” into one large force. The sole existence of the SANDF is to protect the borders of the Republic of South Africa and its inhabitants. Resources such as vehicles make it easier for the SANDF to conduct mobile patrols and other operations to ensure that the organisation is always combat-ready. Motor vehicle theft is a crime that affects both individual citizens and organisations in South Africa; the SANDF is not immune to the crime. Many SANDF motor vehicles are stolen almost every day, and in most cases, these vehicles are taken without a trace. While there are security measures in place aimed at preventing theft of SANDF vehicles but these methods have proven futile. A literature review formed the basis of the study. Once the main theory and ideologies were identified, unstructured interviews were undertaken to gather information from various stakeholders. Observations were also conducted to determine behavioural patterns within military bases/units with regard to the parking of SANDF vehicles, even when the vehicles were parked in urban settings. Essentially, there is a problem regarding the security of SANDF vehicles and also the security within military bases / units. This study indicated that the SANDF loses vast amounts of money due to motor vehicle theft in Gauteng Province. The findings also revealed that the current vehicle security measures are outdated, ineffective and inadequate in preventing SANDF vehicles from being stolen. The recommendations are that the SANDF must invest more of its budget on vehicle security, rather than continuing with fruitless and monetary expenditure by conducting Board of Inquiries (BOI) or lengthy investigations in an attempt to relocate stolen vehicles or to determine how a particular vehicle was stolen. The SANDF requires a comprehensive system that should prevent the theft of its vehicles, as well as curbing the misuse of vehicles which ultimately renders SANDF vehicles as easy targets. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was formed in 1994 after the integration of different “defence forces” into one large force. The sole existence of the SANDF is to protect the borders of the Republic of South Africa and its inhabitants. Resources such as vehicles make it easier for the SANDF to conduct mobile patrols and other operations to ensure that the organisation is always combat-ready. Motor vehicle theft is a crime that affects both individual citizens and organisations in South Africa; the SANDF is not immune to the crime. Many SANDF motor vehicles are stolen almost every day, and in most cases, these vehicles are taken without a trace. While there are security measures in place aimed at preventing theft of SANDF vehicles but these methods have proven futile. A literature review formed the basis of the study. Once the main theory and ideologies were identified, unstructured interviews were undertaken to gather information from various stakeholders. Observations were also conducted to determine behavioural patterns within military bases/units with regard to the parking of SANDF vehicles, even when the vehicles were parked in urban settings. Essentially, there is a problem regarding the security of SANDF vehicles and also the security within military bases / units. This study indicated that the SANDF loses vast amounts of money due to motor vehicle theft in Gauteng Province. The findings also revealed that the current vehicle security measures are outdated, ineffective and inadequate in preventing SANDF vehicles from being stolen. The recommendations are that the SANDF must invest more of its budget on vehicle security, rather than continuing with fruitless and monetary expenditure by conducting Board of Inquiries (BOI) or lengthy investigations in an attempt to relocate stolen vehicles or to determine how a particular vehicle was stolen. The SANDF requires a comprehensive system that should prevent the theft of its vehicles, as well as curbing the misuse of vehicles which ultimately renders SANDF vehicles as easy targets. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The aim of conducting this research was to obtain a critical understanding of how the South African Police Service (SAPS), law enforcement (LE) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) understand the concept, policing of Trafficking in Persons (TIP). The study indicates different role players in the policing of TIP. The researcher explored the present and possible future cooperation between SAPS and NGOs in the Cape Town area. The development of policing and legal aspects concerning TIP was explored globally. Research indicates the necessity of a professional partnership approach between SAPS, LE and NGOs, in the policing of TIP. The researcher identified factors that inhibit the effectiveness of policing of TIP. These factors include among others the lack of training in the identification of TIP and lack of trust between role players. Recommendations to this effect and the implementation of the policing of TIP are made to all concerned, especially SAPS management. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)