SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate understanding of proportionality of force 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
120494  Demonstrate understanding of proportionality of force 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Visible Policing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
14131  Use appropriate force to uphold and enforce the law and protect people and property  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  8   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners in the law enforcement environment who demonstrate understanding of proportionality force.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Exercise alertness during policing tasks to ensure safety of policing officials and the public through preventative actions.
  • Obtain control of incidents where the law has been contravened in a manner that complies with legal and policy requirements.
  • Communicate tactically to resolve conflict and to prevent the use of physical force.
  • Use personal equipment safely to ensure safe and lawful execution of policing tasks.
  • Make use of proportionality force decisions that meet legal and public requirements. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF level 4.
  • Mathematical Numeracy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Exercise alertness during policing tasks to ensure the safety of policing officials and the public through preventative actions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The reason why awareness must be maintained is explained in order to prevent surprise attacks and ensure tactical advantage. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    The concept a mindset of awareness refer to the conscious ability to continuously gather and evaluate situational information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Danger clues are identified and responded to in a manner that will ensure the safety of policing officials within a controlled scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Continuous assessment and planning is demonstrated by the ability to respond immediately to danger clues and adhering to the use of force according to legal and public requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Obtain control of incidents where the law has been contravened. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The suspect and or object is searched and or arrested and isolated through systematic and logical processes. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Systematic and logical process refer to but is not limited to:
  • Pre-containment defence.
  • Contain.
  • Isolate.
  • Action.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why initiative must be kept after containment and isolation is explained in terms of ensuring control over and safekeeping of the suspect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The reasons why search and arrest is carried out whilst protected cover is given by another official is explained in order to minimize risk. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Communicate tactically to resolve conflict and to prevent the use of physical force. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    This outcome should be practically assessed in a structured, controlled scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Visual control is maintained in order to detect any suspicious behaviour of a suspect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Voice control is used at a level that meets the threat in order to resolve conflict. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
  • Voice control refer to verbal commands in a threatening situation which are given with authority until the suspect complies.
  • Verbal commands are repeated until compliance is achieved or until planned physical intervention is needed.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    In threatening situations, self-identification and direction is given through clear precise and authoritive verbal instructions in order to limit the use of physical force. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Corrective actions are planned and taken when suspects do not comply with verbal commands in order to enforce adherence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Professional presence is demonstrated through quick decisions, knowledge, tolerance, openness, calmness, good temper, (by not losing temper) and by being unbiased. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
  • Cover to protect one's self is optimally utilised by always planning one's movement to ensure protection.
  • A direct line of attack is never entered or presented by always placing an obstacle between the suspect and self.
  • Confidence, readiness and control over body movement are demonstrated in the body language of the policing official when suspects are approached. 
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Use standard issue equipment to ensure safe and lawful execution of policing tasks. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Equipment for tactical and crowd management operations refers to but not limited to:
  • Body armour.
  • Firearms.
  • Tonfa.
  • Torch.
  • Shield.
  • Pepper spray (OC).
  • Handcuffs.
  • Radio communication. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal equipment is selected according to the requirements for conducting the task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasons why issued equipment is inspected is explained in terms of the functionality thereof. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Equipment is used in a manner which meets legal and public requirements in a controlled scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The reasons for record keeping when using weapons or pyrotechnics during operations are explained in terms of its possible uses in a court of law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The reasons why incidents must be reported are explained to ensure reporting structures are adhered to. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Demonstrate the ability to decide on the proportionality level of force to be used in a given scenario which will meet legal and public requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The requirements that are contained in South African law are explained in terms of the force used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The reasonableness test in a court of law is evaluated in terms of use of force in a given scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The constitutional limitations on human dignity, equality and freedom are evaluated in terms of force used in a given scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Policing ethics are explained in terms of force used in a given scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Policing ethics refers to but are not limited to:
  • Integrity.
  • Respect for diversity.
  • Obedience to the law.
  • Service excellence.
  • Public approval.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The force applied in a given situation is the minimum and reasonable in the circumstance according to legal and public requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Assessment and planning.
  • Use of force.
  • Legal and public requirements.
  • Search and Seizure.
  • Arrested and isolated.
  • Tactical communication.
  • Conflict resolution.
  • Use of physical force.
  • Threatening situations.
  • High threat situations.
  • Verbal communication.
  • Confidence.
  • Body language.
  • Cover to protect.
  • Use of personal equipment.
  • Record keeping.
  • Use of proportionality force decisions.
  • Self Defence and Safety. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group organization, community. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 14131, "Use appropriate force to uphold and enforce the law and protect people and property", Level 5, 8 credits.

    Supplementary information:

    Specified requirements:

    Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:
  • Legal:

    > The Constitution of South Africa.
    > The South African Police Service Act.
    > The Criminal Procedure Act.
    > Public Gatherings Act.
  • Specifications, agreements and policies and procedures.

    > Standing Operational Procedures. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  50122   National Certificate: Policing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-12-31  SAS SETA 
    Elective  57651   National Certificate: Forensic Science  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. BROOKLYN CITY COLLEGE (PTY) LTD RUSTENBURG CAMPUS 
    2. DAM SCHOOL OF POLICING 
    3. EKHURHULENI SHOOTING AND TRAINING ACADEMY 
    4. MAGNUM SHOOTING ACADEMY 
    5. SAPS OPERATIONAL VEHICLE AND SUPPORT ACADEMY BENONI 
    6. SAPS TRAINING INSTITUTE - MOLOTO 
    7. SBV SERVICES MIDRAND 
    8. SBV SERVICES POLOKWANE 
    9. SHEPPERD ACADEMY 
    10. SOUTH AFRICA POLICE SERVICE ACADEMY: MANKWE 
    11. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE 
    12. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE ACADEMY - PAARL 
    13. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION 
    14. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION GRAA 
    15. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION OUDS 
    16. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION PHIL 
    17. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE BASIC TRAINING PROVISION PRETORIA WEST 
    18. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE IN SERVICE TRAINING PROVISION INSTITUTION 
    19. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTION BISHO 
    20. SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE TRAINING INSTITUTION BISHOP LAVIS 
    21. South African Police Service: George 
    22. TSHWANE METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT ACADEMY 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.