South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Sections of contemporary South African society are characterised by high levels of crime and interpersonal conflict. The South African Police Service (SAPS) is in the front line, with many deaths and injuries occuring among serving officers in recent years. The circumstances and nature of the injuries sustained by these officers have received little attention in the medical literature. ⋯ There is an unacceptably high level of violence in South African society today and SAPS members regularly have to deal with dangerous or violent situations. There is a clear need to introduce a reporting system within the SAPS to record the use of personal protection by officers. Education needs to target SAPS members in order to enhance their use of personal protection. There is a further need to design and implement personal protection that will be universally acceptable by SAPS members.