The management of the use of force in the South African police service
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Date
2017-01-30
Authors
Bruce, Robert David
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Abstract
The work of the police is characterised by the potential need for
recourse to the use of force which is associated with the risk of police resorting to
unnecessary and/or unlawful violence. Historicallv policing in South African has
been characterised by an over reliance on the use of force. This trend appears to
continue. Current levels of violent crime in South Africa also imply that members
of the South African Police Service (SAPS) need to be equipped physically and
psychologically to use force effectively. There are also currently high levels of
victimisation (Ifmembers of the SAPS and of unlawful violence by SAPS members
in non-occupational circumstances. Drawing on open ended interviews with
managers and supervisors and a survey of police Area managers in the SAPS the
report presents a framework for understanding the operation of current systems for
the management of the use of force in the SAPS. Emphasis is placed on
administrative review. particularly as described by Klockars (1996), and the report
evaluates the current system of reporting on shooting incidents in this regard. The
report puts forward a series of recommendations for improving the management
of the use of force in the SAPS.
Description
A research repor submitted to the Faculty of
Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in
partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Management (in the field of Public and
Development Management).
Date: February 2000