We currently have 609 subscribers to our newsletter; our newsletter was viewed 301 times. This week our article of the week looks at Concerning crime figures revealed in key Stats SA report. We also look at how to answer the interview question, How to Answer the Interview Question: "How Do You Handle Stress or Pressure?" and the role of the week is that of a control room operator.
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2. Concerning crime figures revealed in key Stats SA report
Civil SecurityPublished on 11 September 2024 By ProtectionWeb
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) conducted the Governance, Public Safety, and Justice Survey (GPSJS) from April 2023 to March 2024. The GPSJS is a countrywide household-based survey that aims to bridge the statistical information gap in the field of governance statistics. Some recently published key findings complement findings released by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Household crime levels in South Africa
In 2023/24, an estimated 1.5 million incidences of housebreaking occurred, affecting 1.1 million households in South Africa. Over the last 5 years, approximately 2.6 million households experienced a burglary, with the recent report indicating the experience of housebreaking has increased 12%. Further, in less than half of these incidents (44.1%), do the households report some or all incidences to the police. House breaking incidents peaked in June, with 162 000 estimated experiences.
An estimated 263 000 home robbery incidents occurred, which are incidents where contact is made between victims and perpetrators. In these encounters, 57.6% of households reported some or all incidences to the police. A further 257 000 households experienced assault in the last five years, with a 17% increase from the previous year.
Individual crime levels in South Africa
Theft of personal property is the most common crime experienced by individuals aged 16 years and older in South Africa. Stats SA estimates 1.4 million incidents of theft of personal property occurred in 2023/24, affecting 1.3 million individuals aged 16 years and older. Only 28.5% of individuals who experienced theft of personal property reported it to the police.
The second most experienced crime by individuals was street robbery, with a total of 443 000 individuals experiencing street robbery, in an estimated 497 000 incidences. Less than half (44.2%) of the individuals reported the incident to the police. Further, 23.9% of victims were injured during their incidents and 66.0% required medical attention. Only 3.6% of the individuals that experienced street robbery received counselling.
Feelings of safety
About 80% (80.4%) of individuals aged 16 years and older felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood during the day, while 34.9% felt safe walking alone during the night. Women reported feeling very unsafe when walking alone after dark, with 67.5% of women feeling unsafe, compared to 62.8% of men. The majority of individuals (43.8%) indicated they would call the police when witnessing a crime being committed.
Perception of the Police
A higher proportion of households know where the nearest police station is located, with the majority of households (69%) indicating they take less than 30 minutes to get to the nearest police station. More than half of the households (51.2%) indicated they have been to the police station in the past three calendar years. Only 14.7% of the households indicated that they have contacted the police by telephone. Approximately 47% of the households in South Africa think the level of crime has increased in their area. The majority of the households (59.3%) indicated they are satisfied with police services in their areas.
Perception of Courts
A lower (8.9%) proportion of households have been to court in the past 12 months and indicated the main reason for their presence was to support a family member or a friend. Only 32.5% of the households think that the sentences served for violent crimes are long enough. About 69% of households does not think sentences served for Gender Based Violence crimes are long enough.
Last week we asked: Do you tailor your cv for each job application?
Responses: We had 5 responses on last week’s poll:
20% of respondents voted yes
80% of respondents voted no.
4. Interview Q & A
This week’s topic will address the question of:
How to Answer the Interview Question: "How Do You Handle Stress or Pressure?"
One of the most common interview questions you may encounter is: "How do you handle stress or pressure?" This question helps employers assess your ability to stay calm, composed, and effective in challenging situations. Every job comes with its own stressors, and hiring managers want to know that you can manage pressure without compromising on performance.
Why This Question Is Asked
Recruiters ask this question to:
Gauge Your Resilience: They want to know if you can handle workplace challenges and still deliver quality results.
Assess Your Problem-Solving Skills: Employers want to see how you approach stressful situations and whether you can adapt to difficult scenarios.
Understand Your Coping Strategies: Your response gives insight into the methods you use to manage stress and prevent burnout.
Evaluate Emotional Intelligence: Being self-aware and knowing how to regulate emotions is key to maintaining productivity and working well with others.
Tips for Answering the Question
Stay Positive: Focus on the strategies you use to stay productive under pressure rather than dwelling on the negative aspects of stress.
Give Real-Life Examples: Mention a specific instance where you faced a stressful situation and how you effectively managed it.
Highlight Productive Coping Mechanisms: Discuss healthy ways you handle stress, such as time management, staying organised, or taking short breaks to regroup.
Show Adaptability: Explain how you learn from stressful experiences and use them as opportunities to improve.
Model Answer
"I handle stress by staying organised and focused on the task at hand. When faced with pressure, I break down the situation into manageable parts, prioritise tasks, and create a timeline to ensure everything gets done on time. For example, in my previous role as a security supervisor, I had to manage multiple urgent incidents simultaneously. Instead of getting overwhelmed, I delegated tasks to my team, maintained open communication with all parties, and focused on resolving each issue step by step. I find that staying calm and focused helps me meet deadlines and deliver results even in high-pressure situations."
When answering, "How do you handle stress or pressure?", it's essential to demonstrate that you can remain calm, focused, and productive. Highlight your ability to manage stressful situations effectively and use examples to show how you can turn pressure into an opportunity for achievement.
5. The different career options available in the security field
The Role of a Control Room Operator in the Security Industry
A Control Room Operator plays a critical role in the security industry, acting as the nerve center for security operations. They are responsible for monitoring surveillance systems, responding to alarms, and coordinating with on-site security personnel to manage and prevent potential threats. This role requires vigilance, quick decision-making, and excellent communication skills to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Key Responsibilities of a Control Room Operator
Monitoring Surveillance Systems Control Room Operators are responsible for monitoring live feeds from security cameras and other surveillance systems. They must stay alert to detect suspicious activities, potential security breaches, or hazards in real-time.
Responding to Alarms and Emergencies When alarms are triggered or emergencies occur, Control Room Operators assess the situation and coordinate a response. This could involve dispatching security personnel, contacting law enforcement, or managing evacuation procedures.
Communication and Coordination Operators maintain constant communication with on-site security officers, providing them with real-time information about potential threats or incidents. They act as a hub, ensuring that all security personnel are coordinated and informed.
Incident Reporting and Record Keeping In addition to monitoring and responding to situations, Control Room Operators are responsible for maintaining detailed records of incidents. Accurate documentation helps in later investigations or audits and ensures compliance with company procedures.
Managing Access Control: Control Room Operators may also oversee access control systems, ensuring that only authorised personnel enter secured areas. This can involve remote locking and unlocking of doors and gates.
Pros of Being a Control Room Operator
Job Security Control Room Operators are essential in many industries, including corporate buildings, shopping malls, banks, and industrial sites. Their role is indispensable in maintaining security, making the position relatively stable.
Non-Physical Role Unlike many other security roles, the job of a Control Room Operator is largely non-physical. This makes it suitable for individuals who may prefer a less physically demanding role.
Developing Tech Skills As technology plays a central role in security, Control Room Operators gain valuable experience in using advanced surveillance and communication systems, skills that are transferable to other security-related roles.
Impact on Safety Control Room Operators contribute directly to maintaining the safety of people and property. Knowing their work helps prevent incidents can be personally fulfilling.
Cons of Being a Control Room Operator
Monotonous at Times Monitoring screens for long periods can sometimes be monotonous, and it requires extreme focus. Staying alert in a controlled environment with little physical movement can be challenging for some.
High Pressure During Emergencies Although the role is often quiet, when emergencies arise, Control Room Operators are thrust into high-pressure situations. They must make quick, effective decisions, which can be stressful.
Shift Work Control Room Operators often work in shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This can disrupt work-life balance and be challenging for those with families or other commitments.
The role of a Control Room Operator is essential to the smooth functioning of security operations. While the job offers stability, opportunities to develop tech skills, and a critical role in maintaining safety, it can also be monotonous and stressful at times. For individuals who enjoy detailed work and can maintain focus under pressure, it can be a rewarding career path within the security industry.
6. Bonus Article:
SAPS Western Cape fatally wounds three suspected extortionists in shootout
Published on 26 September 2024 ByProtectionWeb
A swift response from members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Western Cape Provincial Operational Command Centre Combat Team resulted in the arrest of four suspected extortionists. The suspects sustained gunshot wounds during an exchange of gunfire with officers in Bothasig, with three suspects fatally wounded during the incident.
The Combat Team acted on information regarding seven occupants of a minibus taxi, who were believed to be extorting money from shop owners in Du Noon. Upon the arrival of officers at the scene, the suspects fled, and officers initiated a pursuit. During the pursuit along Bosmansdam Road, the suspects opened fire at two police vehicles with an assault rifle. Police returned fire and brought the vehicle to a halt on the corner of Bosmansdam and Wylands Roads. The assault rifle, a 9 mm pistol, an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered, and the minibus taxi was confiscated.
While the injured suspects are undergoing medical treatment under police guard, detectives are investigating leads to prepare charges against the suspects for their imminent court appearances. The identities of the suspects are yet to be released.
The three fatalities and the injuries sustained by the four suspects are being investigated by IPID and a death inquest case docket has been registered. Fortunately, no SAPS members or members of the public were injured during the incident, police said.
Extortion remains a top priority for the Western Cape Police, the SAPS said, and the public is encouraged to come forward by using the toll-free extortion hotline, 0800 314 444.
Thats it for this weeks edition. I hope that you found it informative. Make sure to like and subscribe and follow our socials for jobs etc.
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