| Basics on Community Policing |
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At a recent Hillcrest CPF meeting, guest speaker Stuart Knight addressed the audience about Community Policing. Stuart was instrumental in the setting up of the Town Hill CPF which achieved tremendous success in reducing crime - and keeping it down - ensuring the area is a safe and sought after area in which to live. Although no longer on the committee of the Town Hill CPF, Stuart is still actively involved in sharing experiences and learnings with others. With permission we have published an article where Stuart has taken the key elements of Community Policing and highlighted where, how and what we as the community SHOULD be doing to assist the police in fighting crime. DEPARTMENT FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY Basics on Community Policing
MANDATES
§ South African Constitution § The White Paper on Safety and Security, p.34 § The South African Police Service Act, 1995, Ch 7, Section 18/19 § The Community Policing Framework and Guidelines THE CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY POLICING
Community Policing defined: 1. “A philosophy of or an approach to policing which recognizes 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.” 2. 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. 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 hostility 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 policing approach 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 prioritized 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 8. Enhancement of the accountability of the police to the communities they serve 9. Shares 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 S&S) § 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 mobilizes the community against crime § It utilizes all the resources available to the police and the community against crime § It addresses the causes of crime and disorder in the partnership with the community § It activates the community as a source of assistance 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, municipalities, ward councilors 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 victimized 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 recognizes the need for a decentralization 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 § Compile a comprehensive community profile § 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 mobilize 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: 3.1. Process evaluation This involves monitoring your plan and whether it is being implemented correctly 3.2. Impact evaluation This means assessing the outcomes of the plan and its impact. In other words whether your plan has been effective or not. Has it achieved its objectives? What mistakes were made? Why? 3.3. General evaluation Monitoring the general efficiency and effectiveness of policing in the particular area 4. TRANSPARENCY Police must open themselves up to public scrutiny as should and 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 decide 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. 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 the process. The provincial board guides and oversees the functioning of area boards and the 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. This should also guide written communication. 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 the proper procedures must be followed. All parties concerned must be consulted and informed. MEETING PROCEDURE § Is 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 § Meetings must take cognisance of language preferences and attempts should be made to accommodate this so that all representatives may have a full appreciation of the meeting’s proceedings ADVANTAGES OF COMMUNITY POLICING
§ Reduced incidence of crime and a reduction in fear of victimization through more effective policing § Increased community satisfaction with the services provided by the police § Better co-operation and allocation of responsibilities between the police and other criminal justice and social service agencies § 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 resources to meet priorities. SOURCES
§ The White Paper on Safety and Security 1999-2004 § The South African Police Service Act 1995
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