The management of the use of force in the South African police service

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.