Policing in a violent society a prevalent issue at seminar
Various aspects of policing in South Africa were discussed.
Numerous members of academia and guests from analytical organisations, as well as members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) recently attended an exclusive seminar.
Southern Business School (SBS), a private higher education institution and the police co-hosted the seminar, entitled Human Rights and Professionalism in the SAPS, at the SBS campus in Krugersdorp on 7 July. Guests included Dr Johan Burger from the Institute for Security Studies Africa, independent crime analyst Dr Chris de Kock, Professor Jacob Mofokeng from the Tshwane University of Technology and Professor Rika Snyman from Unisa, as well as senior managers of the SAPS, to mention but a few.
The guest speaker, Dr Danfred (Danny) J Titus, a Commissioner in the South African Human Rights Commission, spoke about the political and socio-economic landscape that the police force currently finds itself in. He explored the human rights violations of the past and drew parallels with the current situation in the South African landscape. Titus also looked at the public perception of the SAPS in relation to human rights and professionalism.
Speaking on behalf of the SAPS, Major General Leon Gossmann from the Human Resource Development division responded to the issues raised. Gossmann spoke about various aspects of policing in South Africa. These ranged from training (specifically human rights training), policing approaches and practices, community engagement and community policing in the South African context.
Thereafter, the audience engaged the two speakers on the topic of human rights and professionalism in the SAPS. A robust discussion took place, where the theme of policing in a violent society while operating within the ambit of human rights emerged as a prevalent issue.
The seminar was seen as a success, giving the attendees food for thought on the issues of human rights and professional policing.
* Original article written by Colonel Dale Hynd – Section Commander: General Research and Curriculum Development Division: Human Resource Development, SAPS.
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