SAPS reminded officers that they may not wear buffs because buffs conceal identity and breach the code of conduct.
Only specialised units, the Special Task Force (STF), National Intervention Unit (NIU), and Tactical Response Team (TRT), may wear buffs, and only during authorised and approved operations.
SAPS stated that under no circumstances may the police emblem appear on any buff.
Concerns Over Criminal Impersonation
The service warned that criminals posing as police officers often wear buffs to hide their faces.
If such concealment became common among officers, it would make it difficult for the public to tell genuine police from impostors.
To prevent this, SAPS requires all members to be identifiable at all times, which includes the compulsory display of name tags.
Should authorities allow police to wear face coverings that hide their identity?
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