Managers in the Eastern Cape's perspectives on the integration of forensic social work in the South African Police Service

Abstract

This article discusses empirical data obtained from a qualitative study that focused on exploring the integration of forensic social work services in the South African Police Service. In reviewing literature on the role of forensic social workers from the past ten years, the researcher discovered that there has been an increase in the number of empirical studies on the role of forensic social workers in South Africa. Most of these studies are primarily focused in the South African Police Service. However, none of the studies focused specifically on the perspectives of police management towards the role of forensic social workers in the South African Police Service. Bearing in mind that forensic social work is a developing field in South Africa as well as the South African Police Services, there was a need to explore how police management views this specialty and its integration as a support service to FCS detectives. In response to this, a qualitative study based in the Eastern Cape Province was conducted. The aim of the study was to gain an understanding about the perspectives of SAPS management with regards to integration of forensic social workers. Data was collected from FCS unit commanders in the Eastern Cape Province using semi-structured interviewing. From the findings of the study, it was clear that there is a shortage of forensic social workers. The study also revealed that forensic social workers make a valuable contribution in the investigation of child sexual abuse cases within the South African Police Service. However, contributing factors such as the absence of adequate resources contribute to a failure in providing a proficient service. The researcher came to a conclusion that if police management is not entirely familiar with what forensic social work entails, it could impact on the integration of forensic social work services and could also mean that this valuable service is not optimally and effectively used.