Community Policing Forum
A CPF is simply a safety association. Years ago, the government outlawed vigilantism. However, around 2008 they recognized that citizens of South Africa, in terms of the constitution, had a right to form and join associations. They then created a structure where citizens can form associations endorsed by the SAPS in their own areas. This makes it easier for citizens to exercise their right to freedom of association without breaking the law.
A CPF therefore, is an association of people (individuals, religious leaders, business people, academics, social workers and other stakeholders) for the purpose of addressing the safety needs of the community together with SAPS. Every CPF has a constitution and a code of conduct.
Members of the CPF, including the executive, work on a voluntary basis, without a salary. They have to follow the code of conduct of the CPF and are prohibited from soliciting favours from anyone including SAPS and businesses.
Members of the CPF are NOT police officers. They are not issued with guns, badges, uniforms and stripes and asked to go after offenders.
The objectives of the CPF are to:
- establish and maintain a partnership between the community and the Police Service;
- promote effective communication between the Police Service and the community;
- promote co-operation between the Police Service and the community to fulfill the needs of the community regarding policing;
- improve the rendering of police services to the community;
- improve the transparency in the Police Service and the accountability of the Police Service to the community;
- promote joint problem identification and problem-solving by the Police Service and the community;
- promote community policing in the station area;
- support and coordinate the proper functioning of the Community Police Sub-Forums in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa of 1996, any applicable legislation and any applicable government policy; and
- consult with and advise the Cluster Board, Provincial Board, the department and the Station Commissioner or their delegates with regard to all matters pertaining to community policing in the station area.
HOW TO FORM A SAFETY ASSOCIATION OR CPF
- Simply get all residents together at a meeting. You will need to send out notices at least seven days before the date of the meeting. Remember, when forming such an association, you will have to get all stakeholders on board. This includes residents, school principals, religious leaders, business people, hospital managers and perhaps directors of old age homes. This means that you have to profile your area and determine who lives and works there and include all stakeholders.
- Elect a committee - Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Safety Manager and Treasurer if necessary.
- Elect your street reps.
- Name your safety association.
- Next is to draft your constitution and your code of conduct. Your Sector Commander will give a copy of the standard constitution and code of conduct. Otherwise, we can also do so. Contact us.
- Finally, register your CPF or Safety Association with the SAPS of your area.
Communication is vital for sharing information about crime. Fortunately, we live in a high tech world where communication has advanced to such an extent that we are almost spoilt.
