Community Police Forum - Benoni

about CPF

Last Updated on Friday, 25 March 2011 05:38 Written by Administrator Saturday, 26 February 2011 11:31

What is the CPF?

Community Policing Forums (CPFs) were re-established in terms of Section 22(1) of Act 68, 1995 of the South African Constitution. Through this Act, all members of communities were given a platform to participate in the policing of their communities.

Who constitutes a CPF?

WE, THE COMMUNITY, are THE CPF.

In 1994, for the first time, Communities were given direct oversight and authority regarding their own Safety and Security.

Essentially what this means, in all designated communities and in the case of our town, BENONI in particular, is that:

• in partnership with all the law enforcement entities, we, the community of Benoni, becomes involved; committed and active in ensuring the SAFETY and SECURITY of our town and in combating CRIME.

• all law enforcement entities – (in the National, Provincial and Local Governments, BENONI SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, EMM?, Gauteng Provincial Government’s Department of Community Safety, and all BENONI Ward Councillors) ARE ANSWERABLE (through the CPF) to the NEEDS of the community regarding SAFETY and SECURITY and against CRIME

OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CPF

OBJECTIVES

The Community Police Forum’s objectives are to:

> Establish and maintain a partnership between the community and the police.

> Promote communication between the community and the police.

> Promote co-operation between the community and the police in fulfilling the needs of the community regarding policing.

> Improve the rendering of police services to the community at local level.

> Improve the transparency in the service and accountability of the police to the community.

> Promote joint problem identification and problem solving by the police and the community in relation to crime, service delivery, disorder, and poor community police relations.

> Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the police.

> Evaluate the provision of visible policing in the Sector area.

> To promote the aims and objectives of Community Policing and facilitate the functioning thereof.

> Implement projects in the interests of improved community safety.

REPONSIBILITIES

The Community Police Forum’s responsibilities are to:

> Advise the SAPS regarding local policing priorities; jointly identify policing priorities for presentation to the MEC for Community Safety.

> Facilitate in resolving concerns, problems and complaints from community members regarding policing.

> Harmonise the relationship between the police and the community.

> Request the Station Commissioner to provide crime information analysis on policing on a quarterly basis and as when it is required.

>Obtain regular feedback from the community about the quality of police service delivery.

> Initiate and support community based crime prevention projects.

> Inform the community about the activities of the CPF and sub-forums and engage them accordingly.

> Ensure effective management of the forum’s resources.

> Monitor and request reports on the activities of the Sectors and ensure the sharing of good practices

> Requesting enquiries into policing matters in the locality concerned.

> Ensure the implementation of Sector Policing.

> The monitoring of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Service.

> The evaluation of the provision of visible policing priorities, including:

i) The provision, and staffing of the Police Station.

ii) The reception and processing of complaints and charges.

iii) The prosecution of offenders.

Every citizen in BENONI who wishes to become part of the SOLUTION against CRIME in our town and in our country is encouraged to become involved and active in the BENONI CPF.

“Crime will thrive and triumph in a community where good citizens…...do nothing”

How can YOU, a good citizen of BENONI…DO something and become part of making a difference against CRIME?

Become an ACTIVE, INVOLVED and COMMITTED member of your particular SECTOR CRIME FORUM (SCF).

Your active involvement in and commitment to your SCF and to the CPF as a whole, will give you the opportunity to offer your unique skills and resources in the collective fight against crime and for the safety and security of our town.