The role of community policing in conflict management : a comparative study beween Mafikeng and Potchefstroom area in North West Province

Abstract

The study made a comparative examination of the role of Community Policing in conflict management in the North West Province, with special reference to Mafikeng and Potchefstroom as case studies. The study found that, the competing values such as diversity in income, education, religion , experience, residential location, social class, race, gender, culture, influx of illegal immigrants, competition for limited resources due to power struggles, and poverty among different sections of the communities. These actors complicated the task of developing a shared vision of democratic community policing. They also made communication for managing conflict between the police and the community members difficult. The study recommends: first, the need to develop mechanisms to promote awareness among community members on the importance of community policing in conflict management including crime prevention. This is an integral part of promoting peace building for community sustainable development, second, the promotion of effective partnership between community and the police which should include mutual trust and information sharing between community members and the police.