An exploration of police brutality at the Johannesburg Central Police Station

Abstract

The primary goal for this study was to explore the various causes of police brutality in Johannesburg Central Police Station and investigate the different factors that contribute to police brutality in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ). The exploration involved determining the nature and extent of the problem of police brutality, identification of factors that contribute to police brutality, investigate measures that can be taken to prevent police brutality, identification of best practice from the literature consulted and make recommendations based on the findings for the best practices that can be used to prevent police brutality. South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted interviews on the problem of police brutality from middle managers within the Johannesburg central police station. Literature was conducted to acquire more knowledge regarding the topic under investigation, which was police brutality in Johannesburg Central Police Station. The following objectives were fulfilled: It was discovered that the nature and extent of police brutality is a global problem, and this is because resources and implementation of legislations in policing is not consistent per country to communities, It was identified that factors that contribute to police brutality are man-made and required interventions through transformation from human character concurrently with the implementation of the resources and implementation of legislation, It was established that measures that can be taken to prevent police brutality must be based on lessons learned, remedial action, consultations with the community and South African Police Service (SAPS), It was revealed that there are best practices to prevent police brutality from literature consulted and redress must be conducted with consideration of geographical of policing within SAPS. These requires that peer organisations must perform their duties well to avoid the issues to escalate into policing issues within the community policing precinct, It was also revealed that SAPS needs to invest in innovative technological resources to prevent police brutality. This study contributes to the knowledge base regarding police brutality within Johannesburg Central Police Station.