MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Designated Firearms Office (DFO) at the Da Gamaskop Police Station is the first in the country to receive a service excellence award from the South African Gunowners' Association (SAGA).
The award was handed over to Da Gamaskop's acting station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Eddy Williams and several other officers at the station last Thursday, 4 July, by SAGA trustee member Shaun Lyle.
A press statement from SAGA noted that Da Gamaskop DFO "is the very first DFO in the country to be recognised by SAGA for their positive attitude, consistency, and impact on the Mossel Bay firearms community under their jurisdiction.
"This is no small feat. The Da Gamaskop Police Station, its command, personnel and especially the designated firearms office should be rightfully proud of this achievement and accolade," read the statement.
The statement read that DFOs are an integral part of the Firearms Control Act (FCA) requirements, with regard to competency, registration and licencing of all legal firearms used for the purposes of self-defence, dedicated sports shooting and hunting.
SAGA initiated a pilot project to identify DFOs providing exceptional service to the firearms community and officially recognise them for their efforts.
The first to receive this award and recognition is the Da Gamaskop office.
The statement read that SAGA had identified six important criteria and DFOs awarded the accolade are reviewed on these:
- Exceptionality – going beyond the call of duty/going the extra mile.
- Consistency – multiple commendations from firearms applicants using that office.
- Impactfulness – effect on firearm
owners/applicants and their likelihood of speaking positively about their experience. - Attitude – professionalism, supportiveness and friendliness in assisting the applicant.
- Organisation – functioning of the DFO office in terms of its organisation, booking and application systems/procedures.
- Presentation – the general state and appearance of the police station from the surroundings and entrance, charge office, offices and cashiers/ finance.
"On behalf of the firearms community, we sincerely thank the Da Gamaskop SAPS DFO for its service to local firearm owners. "We trust this good practice will continue, plus act as an inspiration to other designated firearms offices," read SAGA's statement.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
