Symbolism: Sword and Staff
The sword and staff, with other insignia, is
used as a sign of rank in the South African Police Service and
is worn by persons having the rank of assistant commissioner and
higher. These symbols represent:
Power
A sword is the symbol of power. This power is
given to the South African Police Service in terms of an Act of
Parliament. This power shall be, and is used exclusively to
ensure the safety and security of the State and of all its
peoples.
Authority
The staff has, since Roman times, been the
symbol of authority. Called a fasces and carried in front of a
Roman magistrate, the staff gave him the authority to rule and
govern. In the same way this is a symbol of the authority vested
in those members of the South African Police Service who have
the honour of wearing it.
The Power and The Authority of the State
The fasces or staff was made up of an axe (the
ability to cut through untruth or prejudice) and a bundle of
sticks (the whole is stronger than the individual). In the same
way, the staff combined with the sword represents that,
together, they have greater power than they would have if they
were separate.
Lawfulness and Legality
The fasces was the symbol of authority in all
matters of lawfulness and legality. This symbol still represents
the wearer’s total submission to legality and lawfulness. The
wearers shall not be a law unto themselves, but they shall do
all in their power to uphold the law, and to ensure the
lawfulness of all their actions.
Righteousness
Righteousness can also be the rightness of an
authority or power. The sword, which is also a symbol of
justice, thus symbolizes the striving of the South African
Police Service to rendering a just, unpartisan service to the
community. In this service, it will constantly monitor the
rightness of its actions.
A Position of Rank and Leadership
The staff and sword have since the earliest
times been the symbols of a position of rank and leadership.
They represent a position of great seniority but also great
responsibility. By wearing this insignia, the wearers pledge
that, as they enjoy the place of privilege, so will they also
carry out their greater responsibilities.
Humility with Authority and Power
The sword, as in all holy writings, is in the
spiritual realm, the symbol of divine guidance and correction.
This symbol thus declares that the wearers will humbly submit to
that authority that is above every other.
Partnerships in the Law
The symbols of the sword and staff are shared
with the other security services. By sharing these symbols, the
South African Police Service identifies itself with all the
other security services which, in the service of the State,
serve the community.
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