Home 
Policy Framework
Policy Framework
CPF Communication - Policy Framework
| Policy Framework |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by Administrator |
| Monday, 16 November 2009 09:59 |
|
1.   The Legal Framework 3.   Definition of Community Policing 4.   The Characteristics of Community Policing 5.   General Principles of Community Policing 6.   Strategies of Community Policing 7.   National Guidelines for Community Police Forums and Boards 1.   Introduction (Part 1 of POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) The Constitution prescribes Community Policing as the style of policing to be adopted by the South African Police Service to meet the safety and security requirements of all people in the country. Fundamental transformation is therefore needed to ensure that the SAPS develops into a community-oriented policing service which adopts a consultative approach to meeting the safety and security needs of the community it serves; a service which therefore becomes more accessible, acceptable, more efficient and effective. 2.   The Legal Framework (Part 2 of POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) The policy framework should be read together with the following:
3.   Definition of Community Policing (Part of 3 POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) 3.1. Community Policing is a philosophy that guides police management styles and operational strategies and emphasizes the establishment of police community partnerships and a problem solving approach responsive to the needs of the community. It is based on the assumption that the objectives of the SAPS, namely the prevention, combating and investigation of crime; the maintenance of public order; the provision of protection and security to the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; and upholding and enforcing the law, can only be achieved through the collaborate effort of the SAPS; other government institutions; the organizations and structures of civil society and individual citizens. 3.2. A Major objective of community policing is to establish an active partnership between the Police and the community though which crime, service delivery and police community relations can jointly be analyzed and appropriate solutions designed and implemented. This, however, requires that the Police should consciously strive to create an atmosphere in which potential community partners are willing and able to co-operate with the Police. 4.   The Characteristics of Community Policing (Part 4 of POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) 4.1. SERVICE ORIENTATION Service orientation is primarily concerned with promoting the concept that community is the client, and the Police the service provider. This means that the various needs of the client must be taken into account, to enable the rendering of a professional, client-centered service that is effective, efficient and accountable. 4.2. PARTNERSHIP The establishment of Community Police Forums and Boards, which should be broadly representative of the community, is of crucial importance. This should be seen as a co-operative effort to facilitate a process of problem solving. The main objective of this partnership is to determine, through consultation, community needs and policing priorities, and to promote police accountability, transparency and effectiveness. However, Community Police Forums, sub-forums and Boards are not necessarily the only means by which to address certain problems. Such structures should attempt to include all relevant stakeholders. Community needs may also be determined by means of surveys, interviews, workshops, community profiles and other measures. 4.3. PROBLEM SOLVING This relates to the joint identification and analysis of the actual and potential causes of crime and conflict within communities. This analysis guides the development of measures to address such problems over the short-, medium- and long-term. Problem solving also involves conflict resolution and creative problem solving methods to address problems related to service delivery and police community relations. 4.4. EMPOWERMENT This refers to the creation of a sense of joint responsibility and a joint capacity for addressing crime, service delivery and safety and security amongst members of the community and South African Police Service personnel. This implies that members of the community and South African Police Service personnel are to be educated with regards to Community Policing, to enable all to play a constructive role in the Community Police Forums, Broads and in their respective communities. 4.5. ACCOUNTABILITY Accountability will be realized by creating mechanisms through which the Police can be made answerable for addressing the needs and concerns of the communities they serve. Mechanisms such as the Offices of the Members of the Executive Council’s (MECs), the Provincial Secretariats for Safety and Security community visitor schemes, the Independent Complaints Directorate and efforts to make the Police more transparent can be utilized to establish a culture of accountability. 5.   General Principles of Community Policing (Part 5 of POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) 5.1. Respect for and protection of human rights. 5.2. Community Policing informs, guides and sustains all policing activities. 5.3. All members of the South African Police Service should participate in community policing and problem solving initiatives. 5.4. Problem solving should be based on a consultative approach, which constantly seeks to improve responsiveness to identify and prioritize community needs. 5.5. Education, capacity building and skills training of SAPS personnel and members of the community to enable constructive participation in addressing the problem of crime. 5.6. Resolving conflict between and within community groupings in a manner, which enhances peace and stability. 5.7. Awareness of, respect for and tolerance of the languages, cultures and values of the diverse people of South Africa. 5.8. Enhancement of the accountability of the Police to the communities they serve. 5.9. Shared responsibility and decision making as well as sustained commitment from both the police and the community with regard to safety and security needs. 5.10. Creation of understanding and trust between the Police, the community and other relevant role players. 5.11. Special attention is to be given to vulnerable groups who are most likely to become victims of crime, such as children, the elderly, woman, the disabled, gays, lesbians and bi-sexuals. 6.   Strategies of Community Policing (Part 6 of POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) 6.1. The promotion and enhancement of inter-agency co-operation with other bodies performing a policing function and to foster inter-departmental co-operation in respect of solving crime related problems. 6.2. A Commitment from Police managers and supervisors to develop new skills through training which incorporates, problem solving, networking, mediation, facilitation, conflict resolution and community involvement. 6.3. The identification and mobilization, through consultation, of community resources and organizations that may assist in combating and preventing crime and the constant development of this capacity. 6.4. The decentralization of policing services to ensure effective decision making and accountability at the local level. 6.5. Encouraging officers to assume responsibility for addressing safety and security problems within the areas of their responsibility to promote self disciplined and motivated personnel. 6.6. Honest, open and effective communication between the police and the community in order to enhance the consultative role of the SAPS, CPFs and the community in general. 7.   National Guidelines for Community Police Forums and Boards (Part 7 of POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY POLICING) 7.1. All members of the SAPS are responsible for the implementation of Community Policing. Provincial Commissioners, Area Commissioners and Station Commissioners are responsible for the establishment of Community Police Forums and Boards in their respective areas. The Offices of the Members of the Executive Councils (MECs) and the Provincial Secretariats for Safety and Security have, as outlined in the relevant legislation, an oversight and monitoring function with regard to the establishment and sustainability of the Community Police Forums and Boards. 7.2. In addition to the provisions contained in legislation, the functions of and procedures at Community Police Forums and Boards are informed, guided and supported by the General Principles of the Community Policing. 7.3. Community Police Forums are a means to facilitate the partnership between the police and the community and to engage in joint problem identification and consultative problem solving. They should not be seen as structures to promote personal interests or secondary objectives. 7.4. While CPFs and Boards have no direct executive powers over the police, these are structures that intended to enhance consultative and participatory decision- making with regards to the needs and priorities of the communities served by the Police, and decisions made at the Community Police Forums and Boards are therefore to be honored. 7.5. Police managers should accommodate all reasonable requests for information and for the logistical support required to ensure the smooth functioning of the Community Police Forums and Boards. 7.6. Membership of and participation at the Community Police Forums and Boards is a voluntary community service. 7.7. Should conflict at a Community Police Forum or Board around an issue delay or inhibit proceedings to the detriment of dealing with other issues, the Community Police Forum or Board should consider referring the issue to a structure outside of, but attached to, the Community Police Forum or Board – a special sub-committee, for instance – for mediation and resolution. Such a structure may involve external role players or consultants who have the required skills. 7.8. All issues that cannot be resolved at Community police Forum level should be referred to the Area Commissioner and the Area Community Police Board, and if such an issue cannot be resolved at that level, it should be referred to the Provincial Commissioner and Provincial Community Board. The Area Commissioner or Area Board has the responsibility of ensuring relevant feedback to those who have referred the issue. 7.9. All Community Police Forums and Boards should have a written constitution to deal with issues such as representation of the community at the Community Police Forum Board, a code of conduct, conflict resolution mechanisms and the general organization and administration of the Community Police Forum or Board. |
| Last Updated on Monday, 16 November 2009 12:16 |
