About us

What is Community Policing?

Community Policing is a strategy and policy 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 community and the police to work closely together to solve problems and fear of crime, physical and social disorder and neighbourhood decay.

What are the Objectives?

  • By establishing a partnership between the 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 organization with those of a democratic South Africa, aiming at producing police officers who can interact sensitively with their communities and in a manner that respects local norms and values.

What are the functions of CPF's?

According to the Police Act, 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.
  • 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
      enquiries when necessary.