Towards a public participation strategy for community policing forums : the case of Tlokwe Local Municipality

Abstract

In any democratic dispensation, public participation is a widespread concern and highly topical to guide a discourse on openness, transparency and inclusiveness in governance. The South African Constitution (Section 215) and the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995 (Section 19 to 21) stipulate that the notion of public participation in the South African Police Service (SAPS) are embedded in an approach focusing on community policing. This type of policing is generally more community centred and aim to encourage the active involvement of community members in the affairs of the police. The principle mechanism established for this purpose is community policing forums in all municipal areas in the country. The purpose of this article is to report on findings of an empirical investigation conducted in police stations within the Tlokwe Local Municipality. The aim of the survey was to assess the challenges for public participation within community policing forums. Based on these findings, a framework is proposed that outlines a public participation strategy for community policing forums in order to facilitate and improve the involvement of community members.