Community Policing

The Concept of Community Policing

Community policing is a philosophy of or an approach to policing which recognises the interdependence and shared responsibility of the police and the community in ensuring a safe and secure environment for all the people in the country.

Community policing aims to establish an active and equal partnership between the police and the public through which crime and community safety issues can jointly be determined and solutions designed and implemented.

A major objective of community policing is to establish an active partnership between the police and the community through which crime, service delivery and police-community relations can jointly be analysed and appropriate solutions designed and implemented.

By fully engaging the entire community in this partnership, we will make a significant impact on the crime on The Bluff.

Why Do We Need Community Policing?

Based on the rising levels of crime, especially violent crime, the changing socio-political environment, mistrust and antagonism and even open hositility of some members of the community towards the Police, a new policing approach has been developed.

  • A growing demand for client-orientated policing
  • A growing demand for greater Police accountability
  • Unrealistic expectations on the part of the community about the effectiveness of traditional police responses
  • Growing evidence of the shortcomings of the traditional policingapproach in providing a long-term answer to crime and problems of disorder
  • The absence of community support will not enable the Police to shoulder the monumental burden of crime
  • Police want to be more actively involved in determining and managing their future

General Principles of Community Policing

  1. Respect for and protection of human rights.
  2. Community policing informs, guides and sustains all policing activities.
  3. All members of the South African Police Service should participate in community policing and problem solving initiatives.
  4. Problem solving should be based on a consultative approach which constantly seeks to improve responsiveness to identified and prioritised community needs.
  5. Education, capacity-building and enskilling of SAPS personnel and members of the community to enable constructive participation in addressing the problem of crime.
  6. Resolving conflict between and within community groupings in a manner which enhances peace and stability.
  7. Awareness of, respect for, and tolerance of the languages, cultures and values of the diverse peoples of South Africa.
  8. Enhancement of the accountability of the Police to the communities they serve.
  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.
  10. Creation of understanding and trust between the Police, the community and other relevant role players.
  11. Special attention is to be given to vulnerable groups who are most likely to become victims of crime, such as children, the elderly, women, the disabled.

The Role of the CPF

"To play a valuable role in ensuring greater co-operation with the SAPS at the local level." - White Paper on Safety & Security

  • Promotion of local accountability of the police service to communities and co-operation of communities with the service;
  • Monitoring of the effectiveness and efficiency of the service;
  • Advising the SAPS regarding local policing priorities;
  • Evaluation of the provision of visible police services;
  • Requesting enquiries into policing matters in the locality.

Elements of Community Policing

  1. The role of the police officer becomes that of peace officer.
  2. Community policing involves a proactive approach to policing. Community policing is therefore smart policing because:
    • It mobilises the community against crime.
    • It utilises all the resources available to the police and the community against crime.
    • It addresses the causes of crime and disorder in partnership with the community.
    • It activates the community as a soure of asistance and information.
  3. Community policing gives rise to another aspect in that creative police responses are developed to deal with the underlying causes of problems.
  4. Community policing accepts that police agencies cannot solve crime and disorder problems on their own. In order to succeed the police must establish partnerships with other government departments, citizens, community leaders, business owners, schools, NGO's, criminal justice agencies and other service providers. All are considered equal partners that work together in order to improve the quality of life in the community.
  5. In adhering to a police/community partnership, the police adopt the key strategy of community consultation. In this way CPF's contribute towards enhancing the ability of the police to combat and prevent crime.
  6. Successful policing depends largely on how well police officers operate as information managers. This is called interactive policing.
  7. Community policing also seeks to reduce the fear of being victimised particularly among the vulnerable groups in society.
  8. Community policing also assists police officers specialise in handling a broad range of activities in direct with communities.
  9. Community policing recognises the need for a decentralisation of responsibility and gives autonomy to "front line" officers.
  10. Community policing demands drastic changes in the traditional para-military structure and culture of police services. The changes relate to the empowerment of employees.

The Relevant Focus Areas of the CPF

  1. Community Needs
    Consult the community and determine priorities.
    Introduce problem-solving techniques to find the best solutions.
    Have a plan for implementation to address the priorities.

  2. Resources
    The types of resources that you will require are financial, logistical and human resources. CPF's should investigate the availability of community resources and activate and mobilise such resources through inter-agency co-operation and liaison. Once this has been done, it should be presented to the CPF or executive committee for consideration, approval and implementation.

  3. Evaluation
    There are 3 types of evaluation to be engaged in:

    1. Process Evaluation
      This involves monitoring your plan and whether it is being implemented correctly.
    2. Impact Evaluation
      This means assessing the outcomes of your plan and it's impact. In other words whether your plan has been effective or not. Has it achieved it's objectives? What mistakes were made? Why?
    3. General Evaluation
      Monitoring the general efficiency and effectiveness of policing in the particular area.

    Evaluation is also a means of ensuring and promoting accountability.

  4. Transparency
    Police must open themselves up to public scrutiny as should any public service department. CPF's can help to promote accountability of the service to local communities.

    Ways by which you can do this is by negotiating community visitor schemes/open days like the courts have.

  5. Complaints
    In terms of legislation the CPF has the power to enquire into policing matters in the locality concerned. Upon receiving a serious complaint, the CPF should report the complaint to the ICD. If the complaint is of a less serious nature, the CPF may decode to act as a mediator in order to resolve the problem.

    The CPF's role in so far as complaints are concerned is to:

    • Receive complaints;
    • Request enquiries;
    • Assist complainants; and
    • Remain informed of the progress and outcome of the investigations.

    The rule of audi alteram partem must be applied, the CPF must listen to both sides of the story. Members of the SAPS may also be assisted by their union or legal council.

Channels of Communication

Consultations and communications must take place between the SAPS and the community for the initial establishment of the CPF. Police management must be consultative and active in this process.

The Provincial Board guides and oversees the functioning of Area Boards and implementation of local CPF's.

Local CPF's are accountable to their respective localities, their areas and ultimately to the Provincial Board. They shall be guided by this at all times in terms of policing matters, complaints, reports, communication and evaluation.

Written communication should also be guided by this. The submission of regular reports often help us in our understanding of what is happening at the local level, where the gaps and needs are?

The executive of the CPF shall oversee the functioning and the business of the CPF.

In terms of funding proper procedures must be followed. All parties concerned must be consulted and informed. 

Meeting Procedure

The meeting procedures are as outlined below.

  • Are guided by general meeting rules.
  • Adequate notice of meetings must be given.
  • Communications must be guided by the chairperson.
  • People must feel free to put their issues on the agenda and try to have a decision taken on this.
  • Resolutions must not just be adopted but be implemented and monitored.
  • Ground rules may be laid down for the avoiding of confrontations, etc.
  • Meetings must also not just be laborious, strategy meetings must be held to determine core activities.
  • Focus groups may want to hold special meetings and report to the forum.
  • General meetings should attempt to include all community groups/representatives. This might be a lengthy process but one which is crucial.
  • Annual general meetings must be held by the Area Boards and the selection of candidates should be based on commitment, performance, ability, trustworthiness, communication skills, etc.

Advantages of Community Policing

  • Reduced incidence of crime and a reduction in fear of victimisation through more effective policing.
  • Increased community satisfaction with the services provided by the police.
  • Better co-ordination and allocation of responsibilities between the police and other criminal justice and social service agents.
  • More time for proactive action.
  • Increased job satisfaction for police personnel - especially patrol officers.
  • The support of the community for efforts aimed at supplementing or obtaining more police resources.
  • The active participation of the community in crime prevention.
  • A better appreciation of the constraints and problems facing the police.
  • Prioritisation of services and the allocation of available resource to meet priorities.

Sources

Basics on Community Policing (Presentation by Ms Y Bacus, The Directorate: Policy and Planning, Department for Safety and Security KwaZulu-Natal)

The White Paper on Safety and Security 1999-2004

The South African Police Service Act, 1995

The Community Policing Framework and Guidelines






© 2012 Bluff CPF