Kloof Community Police Forum

Community Policing is a policy and strategy aimed at achieving more effective crime control, reduce fears of crime, improved quality of life, improved police service and police legitimacy, through a proactive reliance on community resources that seeks to change crime causing conditions. It allows the police and the community to work closely together to solve problems of crime, fear of crime, physical and social disorder and neighbourhood decay.

 In short: Community Policing it is a partnership between the police and the Community to solve safety problems.

 What are the objectives of Community Policing?

 The objectives of the CPF is to establish a partnership between police and the communities they serve to ensure effective protection of communities and a better quality of life.

Ensuring that the police address the primary needs of the community and are accountable to them.

Enhancing the quality of information available to the police resulting in the development of a proactive and problem-solving approach to crime and violence.

Providing communities with a visible accessible policing presence to enhance public confidence in the police and to deter criminals.

Aligning the values of the police organisation with those of the new democratic South African, aiming at producing police officers who can interact sensitively with their communities and in a manner that respects local norms and values.

 What is a Community Policing Forum?

 A Community Police Forum (CPF) means a forum established in terms of section 19(1) of the S.A.P. S. Act, Act 68 of 1995. A CPF is a group of people from different communities and police representatives who meet to discuss safety problems in their communities. A CPF also aims at ensuring police accountability, transparency and effectiveness in the community.

 Where will CPFs be established?

 At each and every police station in the province.

 Who should be consulted and represented in establishing a CPF?

 Our country’s Constitution clearly stipulates that in order to establish a CPF a Station Commissioner shall, after consultation with the mayor or his/ her representative of the local Municipality:

 identify community based organisations and interested individuals from the community including representatives of all the groupings within the community, i.e. religions groups, youth groups political groups, sports clubs, schools and taxi associations. People who are not part of any group or organisation also have a right to be included.

 It is also important that the police are well represented i.e. Head of Detective Unit, child unit, etc. The Station Commissioner should always be available at CPF meetings.

 What are the functions of CPFs?

 The powers and functions of a CPF in the constitution include:

 Promoting accountability of the local police to your community and co-operation of your community with the local police.

 Monitoring the effectiveness and efficiency of the police serving you.

 Examine and advise on local policing priorities.

 Evaluate the provision of services such as:

Distribution of resources

The way complaints and charges are handled

Patrolling of residential and business areas

Keeping records, writing reports and making recommendations to the Station Commissioners, the Provincial Commissioner and the MEC.

The CPF will ask questions about local policing matters and request enquires when necessary.