After batting away disparaging remarks over the planned Police Day celebration in Bloemfontein, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has again told detractors that criticism is completely unfounded.

"There's nothing as worthwhile as boosting the morale of these men and women and anyone, anywhere, who would say that if we invest in ensuring that we boost these people so that they are ready to go out and fight crime, [that] we are wasting money, they will talk until they are blue in their faces," Mthethwa insisted.

Well, I guess my face is turning a bright shade of blue as I write this.

While I acknowledge that the job of an honest police officer involves very few (if any) perks, a massive party one day of the year is unlikely to make a discernable or lasting difference to police morale.

And, perhaps more importantly, the very people these officers have sworn to serve and protect will be at an even higher risk of becoming a victim of crime. And what will that do for the flagging morale of an already crime-ravaged South African public?

I simply do not buy the assurance given by Police Commissioner Bheki Cele's spokesperson Nonkuleko Mbatha that "everything will still run effectively" (which, I must point out, suggests that the powers that be believe things do in fact "run effectively" even with a full workforce).

Some 50 000 officers will travel by bus and train from all corners of the country, descending on Vodacom Park in the Free State. 50 000... that's close to 30 percent of South Africa's entire operational police force out of the mix for the duration of the journey and the bash. There is no way this will have no effect.

Some areas will be hit harder than others, with reports suggesting that the Eastern Cape will lose up to half of its active police force. Suffice it to say, if I were a criminal, the date 29 January 2010 on my calendar would be circled in bright red.

Then there is the question of money. The fact that the Police Ministry has remained tight-lipped on its budget for the celebration doesn't fill one with confidence that pennies are being watched. Sources say meals will cost just shy of R100 per person, with travel costs and live entertainment (featuring R&B artists and gospel singers, among others) sure to hit the wallet of the taxpayer even harder. In fact, figures in the region of "tens of millions of rands" are being bandied about.

If this money is indeed freely available, surely outstanding officers should instead be recognised with bonuses? This would "boost the morale" of those rewarded and provide an incentive for other officers to raise their game, and perhaps make the grade the following year.

And if this weren't an option for whatever reason, surely that doesn't make a national celebration necessary? A number of regional celebrations (spread out over a period) for selected high-performing officers in each area would reduce the impact on force's crime-fighting abilities.

While I believe criticism should continue to be levelled at the police for wasting money and putting the public at further risk, it is the top brass who should be taking the blame.

The minister and the commissioner, and not the officer on the ground, should be ashamed of themselves for organising such an event.

Is the Police Day celebration a worthwhile event? Leave a comment below...