An investigation into challenges and roles of the community policing forum with regard to the crime prevention on Limpopo Province

Abstract

This research is concerned with the perceptions of police accountability in the Makhado Ward 1 Policing Area. Community Police Forums are a means to facilitate the partnership between the police and the community and to engage in joint problem identification and consultative crime prevention programmes. The Community Police Forums are consultative forums designed to permit communities to make their policing concerns known to the police and to providea vehicle for holding the police accountable to them ( Pelser et. al., 2002: 13).

The study uses both quantitative and qualitative techniques for data collection and analysis. Qualitative techniques were mostly used in that they provide the researcher with an understanding of experiences and problems faced by Community policing Forum. Random and purposive samplings were used for the selection of sample for the study. Both primary and secondary data were used for analysis in this study. A questionnaire, consisting of structured questions based upon the functions and processes of the CPF's, has been used in the collection of the data.

Statements based on the functions and processes of the CPF's have been prepared and put forward with the aim of obtaining the views and opinions of the South African Police Service officials and the community representatives of the Community Police Forums in Makhado Ward 1 Policing Area.

The findings reveal disagreements between the police and the community regarding certain aspects of the functions and processes of the Community Police Forums. The responses of the research participants to the items in the questionnaire tended to be influenced by whether the respondent was a member of the community or a member of the police. The community members tend to be more concerned about their oversight role over the police, whilst the police tend

to be more protective of their operational independence and organizational control. For the democratization of the police and for effective crime control to be realized, there needs to be agreement between the community and the police members regarding the functions and processes of the Community Police Forums.

The suggested recommendations are based on the findings of the study, which should be taken seriously if there is a desire to ensure the democratization of the police and to realize the effective control of crime.