OPINION: Get to know your CPF
The sub forums are the eyes and ears for SAPS and report back to the executive on a monthly basis.
The local Community Policing Forum (CPF) is made up of an executive team and 12 sub-forums in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality. The sub forums are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the Saps and report back to the executive on a monthly basis.
The core function of a CPF is to work together with Saps, to bridge the gap between a community and the police, to ensure a safer and crime-free environment for everyone.
What is the role of a CPF?
A CPF is a group of people from different communities and police representatives who meet to discuss safety problems in their communities. They aim to ensure police accountability, transparency and effectiveness in the community. CPFs are established in terms of section 19(1) of the Saps.
They can assist with publicising community concerns and available solutions, such as services from government or community agencies or new laws or codes that will be enforced. In addition, the media can have a significant impact on public perceptions of the police, crime problems, and fear of crime.
Due to the lack of police presence in the community, the public has lost all confidence in the police. The CPF is trying through its mission statement of, ‘for the community by the community’, to bring back the confidence and the stability of our people. The CPF has volunteer patrollers who sacrifice their time at night in patrolling their areas of concern.
There are nights when nothing happens and then we have some sleepless ones.
Four main functions of the CPF:
1. Monitoring of police actions to ensure transparency and accountability,
2. Mobilising community support in crime detection,
3. Improving relationship with the community,
4. Engaging in social crime prevention initiatives, and preventive actions taken towards drugs and child abuse.
The four elements of community policing are:
1. The organisation of community-based crime prevention,
2. The reorientation of patrol activities to emphasise non-emergency servicing,
3. Increased police accountability to local communities,
4. The decentralisation of command.
FATHIMA MOOSA
Port Shepstone Executive CPF secretary
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