A preventative policing style for public violence in the towns of Harrismith and Warden in the eastern Free State

Abstract

This exploratory and qualitative investigation is used as a research strategy to indicate a preventative policing style for public violence in the Eastern Free State. The research's integration of problem-solving methods may be used in instances where public violence is common and pre-empted.

The study researched the policing of public expression against poor service delivery in a democratic South Africa after the adoption of a new Constitution. The Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment Model is applied by way of a service-oriented, preventative policing style involving the principles of the Community Policing Style.

The dissertation argues that though the South African Police Service's handling of public violence in the Eastern Free State, was reminiscent of the former public violence of political oppression, it should gradually move away from the military approach to a preferred community policing style and include relevant role players in using a systematic and service-orientated preventative policing style to address public violence.