An evaluation of the implementation of community policing in Westonaria

Abstract

Community policing is a joint community and police effort to reduce the incidents of crime, to the benefit of the basic human need of safety. Without community assistance, police alone cannot reduce the crime levels. Since 2012, there have been attempts to implement community policing in Westonaria. However, the success of the implementation thereof has proved to be problematic. The question arose as to what the reason for this limited success is. The researcher formulated research questions to determine the meaning of community policing, as well as the factors affecting the successful implementation thereof in the Westonaria policing precinct. To achieve the desired results, the researcher used different methodologies, and identified target groups and data collection techniques, which was analysed and interpreted. Literature and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Primary sources such as written materials of the South African Police Service (SAPS), National Development Plan 2030 and other documents that relate to community policing and crime prevention strategies were analysed. In addition, secondary sources such as dissertations and theses, newspaper articles and text books on community policing were also consulted. Interviews were conducted with SAPS members and local community members. The purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants who was knowledgeable and had experience on the research topic. This study gives an overall explanation of what community policing is, from the literature reviewed relevant to the study, with the aim to strengthen partnership between the SAPS and local community of Westonaria. Inhibiting factors in the police, as well as in the community, were identified and recommendations are made for the successful implementation of community policing in the area.