Are CPFs equipped to tackle crime?
CPFs were established to involve local stakeholders in the fight against and prevention of crime in their respective policing areas.
According to the SAPS, these forums meet regularly with the police officers in charge of CPFs in their local police stations to discuss crime-related issues and to find solutions.
The question of the effectiveness of CPFs in crime prevention and fighting has been raised across the board, in particular, whether these forums are adequately trained and sufficiently supported and resourced in order to carry out their mandate.
Also read: Police seize counterfeit alcohol worth R250 000
In response to a parliamentary question to the minister of police in April this year, it was indicated that the SAPS supports and directly provides assistance to CPFs and community patrollers by providing resources, and procedural guidelines 'that are designed to improve the safety of CPF members and community patrollers while deployed in support of the SAPS'.
The response further stated that in the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years, the SAPS budgeted R140m for 'CPFs to procure vehicles, physical equipment and information technology to support their functioning'.
Additionally, it was said in the parliamentary response that the SAPS, working with provincial governments, is looking into possibly setting up Community Patrol Control Centres 'which will receive and co-ordinate urgent notifications from community patrollers' who work under CPFs 'as the eyes and ears of the SAPS'.
Also read: Westville CPF calls for greater community involvement
Here is what to know about community patrollers:
Community Patrollers are trained by their local community policing officer (CPO) at each police station;
They are expected to submit monthly reports to their CPFs on their activities, challenges and successes
Community patrollers are prohibited from being in possession of a private firearm when performing their duties and may not be deployed with a firearm
SAPS must accompany them on patrols
They are trained to not engage armed criminals
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