Investigation into the participation of community police forums in crime prevention in the North West Province : study on three police areas of the North West namely Molopo, Marico and Mooiriver

Abstract

The study made an investigation into the participation of the Community Police Forums in the North West Province with special reference to the three Police areas in the North West Province, namely, Molopo, Marica and Mooiriver. The study found out that the Community Police Forums are established in all the stations in the North West Province. Their level of effectiveness differed due to lack of commitment by the communities, shortage of resources in their respective police stations to support them, insufficient funding for their projects and programmes, and lack of education and awareness to communities and police officers that would solicit support to the structures. These factors complicated the task of developing a shared vision of democratic community policing. The study recommends; first, the need to promote awareness of CPFs and their role. This is an integral part of promoting peace building for community sustainable development in the province. Second, there is a need to promote effective partnership between community and police, which should include mutual trust, and information sharing between community members and the police. Lastly, is the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation of the Community Police Forums that will ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the structures iQ the Province.