DIE ONTWIKKELING VAN MIDDELVLAKBESTUURDERS IN DIE SUID-AFRIKAANSE POLISIEDIENS IN DIE NOORDWES PROVINSIE

Abstract

The middle manager in the South African Police Service (SAPS) experiences a rapidly changing working environment. The success of the middle level manager when dealing with the management of change and the way he/she conducts his/her role as managers will determine if the community is satisfied with the quality of the service that the SAPS delivers. Focussing on the training and development of middle managers in the SAPS in the North West Province to effectively combat crime in the province, and thereby improve the performance of the managers and their subordinates, will go far to more effectively combat crime in the province. The purposes of this study are:~ To compile a profile of the middle manager in the SAPS in the North West Province~ To identify the development needs of the middle manager in the SAPS in the North West Province~ To present guidelines for the development of a management development programme for middle managers in the SAPS in the North West ProvinceThe method of the study includes a literature study of the following:~ The role of middle managers in the SAPS~ The concepts of management, leadership and management leadership~ The development of middle managers in the SAPS This is followed by an empirical study to determine the biographical profile of middle level managers in the SAPS in the North West Province, to identify their developmental needs and to determine facets of the most effective development programme . The empirical study indicates that middle level managers already have a wide variety of skills. It is therefore recommended that individual middle managers must have the opportunity to choose the skills they wish to develop and that they should not be expected to attend a generic middle level management development programme. Guidelines are proposed for the development of middle level managers in the SAPS in the North West Province , based on the findings of the study.