An evaluation of conflict resolution styles adopted by police officers at a selected police station in Kwazulu Natal

Abstract

The selected police station in Kwa-Zulu Natal is prone to conflict. The purpose of this study was to examine and evaluate the conflict resolution styles adopted by police officers and to ascertain whether the chosen conflict resolution styles were indeed effective. The study was conducted at South African Police Service (SAPS) Tongaat, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and is intended to be of use to police officers and management of various police departments to enhance the area of conflict resolution. A Quantitative; non-experimental, descriptive survey design was used with a structured questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The sample included 100 police officers. The study revealed insight into the causes of conflict at the police station and a definite preference for certain conflict resolution styles over others. More significantly, the study revealed challenges regarding effective conflict resolution. Recommendations with regard to conflict resolution and further research were made.

Isikhululo samapolisa esikhethiweyo KwaZulu-Natal sithanda ukuba neengxabano. Injongo yesi sifundo yayikukuphonononga nokuvavanya iindlela zokusombulula iingxabano ezazisetyenziswa ngamapolisa, nokuqwalasela ukuba ingaba ezo ndlela zazisebenza na. Esi sifundo, nesiqhutywe kwiNkonzo Yamapolisa oMzantsi Afrika eTongaat kwiphondo iKwaZulu-Natal, senzelwe ukuba luncedo kumapolisa nabaphathi bamasebe ahlukeneyo obupolisa, nafuna ukuqinisa imiba yokusombulula ingxabano. Kwasetyenziswa indlela yophando yobuninzi apho kwaqulunqwa uluhlu lwemibuzo eqingqiweyo njengesixhobo sokuqokelela idatha. Isampulu yaquka amagosa obupolisa ali-100. Isifundo satyhila iimbono ezithile malunga nonobangela wengxabano kwesi sikhululo, sabonisa nokuba kukho iindlela ezithile ezithandwa ngaphezu kwezinye ekusombululeni ingxabano. Okubaluleke ngaphezulu, isifundo esi sadiza imingeni ekhoyo malunga nokusombulula ingxabano okusebenzayo. Kwenziwa iingcebiso malunga nokusombulula ingxabano nophando olulandelayo.

Isiteshi samaphoyisa esikhethiwe esiKwaZulu-Natal sinokuzithola zisezingxabanweni. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo ngukuhlaziya nokuhlola izindlela zokuxazulula izingxabano ezakhethwa ngamaphoyisa ukuba azisebenzise, nokuthola ukuthi lezo zindlela ezikhethiwe zisebenza ngempela yini. Lolu cwaningo, olwenziwa oPhikweni Lamaphoyisa LwaseNingizimu Afrika, oThongathi, esifundazweni saKwaZulu-Natali, kuhloswe ukuba lusetshenziselwe yizikhulu zamaphoyisa nabaphathi beminyango eyahlukene yamaphoyisa abafuna ukuthuthukisa okuphathelene nokuxazululwa kwezingxabano. Kwasetshenziswa umklamo wenhlolovo yokulinganisa echazayo, engasebenzisi ukuhlola-kulinga, wasetshenziswa nephepha-mibuzo elihlelekile njengethuluzi lokuqoqa imininingwane. Isampula lalibandakanya izikhulu zamaphoyisa eziyi-100. Lolu cwaningo luveze ukuqonda ngezimbangela zezingxabano esiteshini samaphoyisa, kanye nezindlela ezithile zokuxazulula izingxabano ezincanyelwa ngokusobala uma kuqhathaniswa nezinye. Okuphawuleka kakhulu ukuthi lolu cwaningo luveze izingqinamba kokuphathelene nokuxazululwa kwezingxabano ngempumelelo. Kwenziwa izincomo maqondana nokuxazululwa kwezingxabano kanye nokuba kuqhutshekwe nocwaningo.