South African Police

South African Police
Suid-Afrikaanse Polisie
South African Police badge
South African Police badge
Flag of the South African Police (1981–1994)
Flag of the South African Police (1981–1994)
Common nameSouth African Police
AbbreviationSAP
Agency overview
Formed1913
Preceding agency
  • Various
Dissolved1994
Superseding agencySouth African Police Service
Employees
  • 130,000 (April 1994)[1]
  • 65,000 (1975)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionRSA
Legal jurisdictionSouth Africa
Governing bodyDepartment of Police (South Africa)
General nature
Operational structure
Units

The South African Police (SAP) was the national police force and law enforcement agency in South Africa from 1913 to 1994; it was the de facto police force in the territory of South West Africa (Namibia) from 1939 to 1981. After South Africa's transition to majority rule in 1994, the SAP was reorganised into the South African Police Service (SAPS).

  1. ^ "South African Special Election".