An analysis of the implementation of sector policing in Soweto

Abstract

As an approach to solve the crime problems affecting all the citizens of this country, South Africa adopted the sector policing concept. This approach is also seen as a means of bringing the community and the police closer by appointing sector commanders who do community liaison and problem-solving work in the geographically demarcated sectors. Sector policing is not a strategy on its own, as stated in the Final Draft National Instruction of Sector policing of 2003, the connection between sector policing and community-policing philosophy is very clear. Sector policing it described as a practical manifestation of community policing. The key elements of sector policing are its geographic focus, problem-solving methodologies and community consultation. On 13 July 2009, it (sector policing) became an official policing instrument in the country. The sanctioning of sector policing proposed that in the nine (9) South African provinces, 45 police stations (5 stations per province) implemented sector policing and the remainder had to be implemented before the end of 2012. As of now (2014), the assumption could be made that all police stations in South Africa implemented this strategy. Therefore, it should now be imperative to analyse the implementation in a specific area, for instance Soweto, where it had been in existence for a while, as well as to determine its effectiveness in this area. The results of the study summarily indicated that the efficiency and effectiveness of sector policing in Soweto is predominately reliant on sectors demarcation into manageable sizes and the provision of adequate and sufficient resources.