To help the police react fast, save lives and arrest criminals, the SAPS appeals to members of the public to use the 10111 emergency number responsibly, and refrain from abusing it.
According to the Gauteng Rapid Response Services principal communications officer, Capt Pinky Tsinyane, the country’s emergency 10111 line deals with a high volume of calls, particularly during the festive season.
“The centre is the South African Police Service front line which is committed to every citizen’s safety. Feel and be safe with Gauteng 10111 Command Centre. Your call is important to us. Our well-trained call operators/dispatchers will always assist,” said Tsinyane.
For the police to be able to attend every call this festive season, know what to do when police assistance is needed.
The following tips will help save time and lives:
• Use but do not abuse 10111, it is an emergency line.
• Call when you are in danger; witness a crime, your life or that of someone else is in danger and when you see something suspicious or someone possibly committing crime/an offence.
• Try to be calm, speak clearly and slowly for the telephone operator to assist you faster.
• Give the call operator your contact details, full address where the incident is happening and the type of incident, and if possible provide the description of the nearest landmarks, such as post office, shops or clinic.
• Parents/guardians are requested to do their parental guidance and call the police emergency line if it’s really a police matter.
• Get a reference number to know that your complaint is registered. For any follow-up to the complaint, you don’t need to register a new complaint but give the reference number so that you can be assisted immediately.
Furthermore, the Gauteng police encourage the public to know their sectors and the cellphone number – which is written on the side of a sector vehicle patrolling in their respective areas.
Those numbers will help to get police assistance immediately if you cannot be able to get through 10111.
