BEACON Bay residents have accused police of ignoring the suburb’s police station and allowing it to fall into a “disgraceful and filthy” state.
l The station does not have proper perimeter fencing which is a security concern; and
l The station has broken furniture, leaving officers little option but to stand while working.
A Dispatch team visiting the station during the course of the week was able to access offices where dockets were kept without being confronted.
Concerned police officers, who wanted to remain anonymous said there were many problems .
“The main problem is when we are in the charge office with arrested suspects roaming around . They can grab our firearms and hold us hostage here,” said one.
Mills confirmed that the station had no proper holding cells but said suspects were taken to the East London police station holding cells. “The temporary holding cell at the station is used only for the time it takes to process a detainee until he or she can be transported to East London,” she said.
Dispatch reader Marvin Douglas said the situation at the station put police officers’ lives at risk. “When I arrived there the other night, accompanying a colleague who had a burglary, I was shocked to notice that suspects were put in an unlocked holding cell while some were sitting next to police officers without handcuffs,” he said. —
Beacon Bay police station in dire straits
l The station does not have proper perimeter fencing which is a security concern; and
l The station has broken furniture, leaving officers little option but to stand while working.
A Dispatch team visiting the station during the course of the week was able to access offices where dockets were kept without being confronted.
Concerned police officers, who wanted to remain anonymous said there were many problems .
“The main problem is when we are in the charge office with arrested suspects roaming around . They can grab our firearms and hold us hostage here,” said one.
Mills confirmed that the station had no proper holding cells but said suspects were taken to the East London police station holding cells. “The temporary holding cell at the station is used only for the time it takes to process a detainee until he or she can be transported to East London,” she said.
Dispatch reader Marvin Douglas said the situation at the station put police officers’ lives at risk. “When I arrived there the other night, accompanying a colleague who had a burglary, I was shocked to notice that suspects were put in an unlocked holding cell while some were sitting next to police officers without handcuffs,” he said. —
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos