(CPF)

Community policing forums (CPFs) are legally recognised bodies that help the police and communities work together. According to the SAPS Act there should be a CPF at every police station. When they work well, CPFs can help solve local safety problems and improve communication, making sure community needs are met. They can:

• Ensure better reporting and information on crime and joint problem solving.
• Increase community understanding of criminal justice issues.
• Provide structured options for connecting many interests in the community with the police.
• Mediate when conflict or misunderstanding arises between the public and police.
• Discourage using public violence during protests and help community members resolve their concerns peacefully.

However, community members who want to tackle crime should be aware that other non-policing activities can also be highly effective, such as neighbourhood watches.

Steps for starting or strengthening a community policing forum

• Find out what the community needs:

  • Identify the specific safety and security problems in your area.
  • Talk to local residents to learn about their concerns.

• Work with the SAPS:

  • Contact the local police station to find out if there is already a CPF in your area and how to join it.
  • If there isn’t, work with police representatives to learn the legal steps to set up a forum. Only the Provincial Police Commissioner can authorise setting up a CPF.

• Plan a community meeting:

  • Choose a date, time, and place for the first meeting to talk about starting or strengthening the CPF.
  • Use flyers, community boards, and social media to invite residents.

• Create a structure:

  • Elect a committee to lead the CPF, with roles like chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary.
  • Create rules to guide the CPF’s work. Make sure these rules follow the law and official guidelines when setting up a CPF. Your local councillor can also help you with all of this.

• Plan regular meetings:

  • Set regular meetings to talk about issues, plan activities, and check progress.
  • Make sure there is open communication between the community and the police.

More information

For more help setting up a community policing forum, check with your local police station,

the municipal authorities or community safety groups. Useful sources:

ISSAfrica.org

SafeCommunity.co.za

CommunityPolicingForum.co.za

Get your community involved

Is there a community-driven group or caring business in your area? A dedicated group of committed people can effectively solve local problems.

Think about starting or joining community groups like a street WhatsApp group, residents' association, or community policing forum (CPF) to get help and to stay informed and involved in local issues.

How to set up a community group

How to start a WhatsApp group

How to start a residents' association

How to set up a community policing forum

How to set up a neighbourhood watch

How to organise community action

How to use media to create pressure for change

Know your rights – how local government works

It’s important to understand how your local government works so that you can work with them to support what they are doing while your community continues to keep them accountable and deliver services on time. Remember you have a constitutional right to many of the services provided by local government, as well as to accountability and transparency, wherever you live and regardless of how much you earn. It is also where money collected from taxes and rates goes.