An evaluation of the practices and operations of community police forums in Tshwane

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to evaluate practices and operations of Community Police Forums and their sub-structures in Tshwane. This includes various approaches that are used to implement and manage the operations of Community Police Forums and their sub-structures. This research is designed to determine different operational approaches that are used by the Community Police Forums and their sub-structures to curb the criminal activities including those of their respective members. The qualitative research method was utilised for this study, achieving stated research objectives and answering the research questions. The population in the study included members of the South African Police Service and Community Police Forums in Tshwane District, as well as officials in the Directorate Community Police Relations within the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. The study revealed that Community Police Forums and their sub-structures are essential in the reduction of crime and they can be used as force multipliers to the South African Police Service. It also shows that there are legislative framework that Community Police Forums and their sub-structures are supposed to function under and adhere to. Monitoring mechanisms are in place to ensure that these structures function within the stipulated framework. Therefore, based on these findings, recommendations were made on practices and operations of Community Police Forums and their sub-structures.