So I went to the Police station to report a theft from our office (previous gardener came in to remove "his" stuff, but in the process took some other items).
There was only one officer working at that time, a Warrant Officer. After explaining the incident relating to the theft (that occurred on 14 December 2016), he asked me why I only came forward now to file the complaint. I answered that I tried to resort this amicably with the person, asking him to return the items he took. The WO then said that he cannot take the case. I asked him why he cannot take the case, and he just said ?this is not theft, he worked for you?. I again iterated that this cannot be a valid reason and whether I can record this conversation. He did not answer me and I asked him if I can speak to his supervisor. He referred me to a Captain.
I unfortunately had an appointment just after 14:00, and since I never thought that filing a theft case would take longer than an hour, I had to leave and I offered to type out a statement (the statement I prepared was too long). The Capt. however did explain to me how to write out the statement and how to shorten it. He said that I can return the following day to hand it in.
Unfortunately I did not managed to return on the Thursday (9 February 2017) but instead went on Friday, 10 February 2017 (today, yes. It just happened). I asked for the Captain, but I was told that he is working night-shift and will only be in after 16:00. I then spoke to another constable (did not get his name), but he did not know what to do or how to open a docket. He asked another Constable to help me, but she was not sure and she asked .... the same WO.
The WO proceeded to talk to them (different language, I could not follow), then told me that I must speak to the Captain. I then told him that I cannot see that I must speak to the Captain, I just want to file the theft for a docket to be opened. The WO then said that when he wanted to help me, I just asked for his Supervisor. I emphatically told him that it is not true, and ask him if I can record this conversation, which he refused. I clearly stated that I explained the process to him, he did asked a few questions but I only asked to speak to his Supervisor after he said that I have no case. He replied that I wanted to speak to his supervisor, and that Captain helped me, so I must now speak to the Captain.
The constable then asked me whether I would be willing to return later when the Captain will be back. I accepted and left. At no stage did the WO showed any inclination to assist myself or any of the other officers to provide a public service.
Now I did file a complaint against this WO on the SAPS website, but I want to make sure that a guy like this is reprimanded. I think this happens more than what we know but it is just forgotten as we all want to continue, and just leave it. This is the third time this happens with me, screw that.
How to proceed, any suggestions (I am on my way to go and see the Station Commander to file an official complaint).
There was only one officer working at that time, a Warrant Officer. After explaining the incident relating to the theft (that occurred on 14 December 2016), he asked me why I only came forward now to file the complaint. I answered that I tried to resort this amicably with the person, asking him to return the items he took. The WO then said that he cannot take the case. I asked him why he cannot take the case, and he just said ?this is not theft, he worked for you?. I again iterated that this cannot be a valid reason and whether I can record this conversation. He did not answer me and I asked him if I can speak to his supervisor. He referred me to a Captain.
I unfortunately had an appointment just after 14:00, and since I never thought that filing a theft case would take longer than an hour, I had to leave and I offered to type out a statement (the statement I prepared was too long). The Capt. however did explain to me how to write out the statement and how to shorten it. He said that I can return the following day to hand it in.
Unfortunately I did not managed to return on the Thursday (9 February 2017) but instead went on Friday, 10 February 2017 (today, yes. It just happened). I asked for the Captain, but I was told that he is working night-shift and will only be in after 16:00. I then spoke to another constable (did not get his name), but he did not know what to do or how to open a docket. He asked another Constable to help me, but she was not sure and she asked .... the same WO.
The WO proceeded to talk to them (different language, I could not follow), then told me that I must speak to the Captain. I then told him that I cannot see that I must speak to the Captain, I just want to file the theft for a docket to be opened. The WO then said that when he wanted to help me, I just asked for his Supervisor. I emphatically told him that it is not true, and ask him if I can record this conversation, which he refused. I clearly stated that I explained the process to him, he did asked a few questions but I only asked to speak to his Supervisor after he said that I have no case. He replied that I wanted to speak to his supervisor, and that Captain helped me, so I must now speak to the Captain.
The constable then asked me whether I would be willing to return later when the Captain will be back. I accepted and left. At no stage did the WO showed any inclination to assist myself or any of the other officers to provide a public service.
Now I did file a complaint against this WO on the SAPS website, but I want to make sure that a guy like this is reprimanded. I think this happens more than what we know but it is just forgotten as we all want to continue, and just leave it. This is the third time this happens with me, screw that.
How to proceed, any suggestions (I am on my way to go and see the Station Commander to file an official complaint).
