Spotlight: Helping Parliament fix the police leadership crisis
The ISS provided expert analysis and policy advice on how to fix the leadership problems plaguing South Africa’s police.
Published on 26 August 2015 in
Impact
‘Skilled and honest leadership within the South African Police Service (SAPS) is crucial if police officers and the public are to trust them’.
This was the key message from Gareth Newham, head of the Governance, Crime and Justice division at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) to the South African Parliament Portfolio Committee on Police on 6 August.
‘The White Paper on Police must provide clear and concrete direction on how to ensure that only appropriately skilled, experienced and honest people are appointed to leadership positions’, Newham stated in a presentation that is part of the ISS’ ongoing efforts to strengthen police leadership, promote police integrity and tackle corruption. The ISS has built a positive relationship with the portfolio committee over the years, providing expert analysis and policy advice on a variety of issues including tackling crime, reducing police corruption and promoting professionalism in the SAPS.
This briefing highlighted practical steps, especially related to ensuring improvements in senior police leadership, which could form the basis of a new SAPS Act.
Strong leadership within the SAPS is crucial if police officers and the public are to trust them |
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Committee members’ attention was drawn to the importance of implementing the recommendations of government’s National Development Plan, particularly those related to the selection, appointment and promotion of all senior management posts, including the National Commissioner.
The ISS also argued that the White Paper on Police policy should focus on promoting ethical decision-making and conduct, strengthening internal accountability for misconduct, and promoting public involvement and partnerships.
The importance of training as a requirement for moving up to a more senior rank within the SAPS was highlighted, as well as the need to improve police officer safety. The number of police officers killed per year has increased from 68 in 2013-2014 to 86 in 2014-2015. This is as a result of the current police leadership’s inability to develop an effective strategy to reduce armed robberies which are contributing to an escalation in the overall murder rate. The police have the resources, expertise and technology to successfully tackle armed robberies as demonstrated by the notable reductions achieve through effective policing between 2009 and 2011.
The ISS will continue to provide support to the portfolio committee. Through practical research, analysis and policy advice, the ISS aims to improve criminal justice in South Africa.
For more information, contact:
Gareth Newham, ISS: +27 82 887 1557, [email protected]
