Pretoria - The Police Ministry has called on the public to participate and make submissions on the Green Paper on Policing, which will help create a professional, accountable, transparent and responsive police force.
The policy framework sets out the broad policy thrust for the South African Police Service (SAPS) over the medium to long-term and aims to position the police service to adapt and respond to a constantly evolving crime landscape while remaining steadfast in its commitment to democratic policing.
Currently, the ministry is holding public consultation processes around the country.
Police spokesperson Zweli Mnisi says they view these public consultations seriously, The consultations are not limited to urban cities, but even reach communities in remote areas.
Mnsisi urged all South Africans that make submissions and inputs in the framework to thoroughly introspect the policy document in its totality.
“As the Ministry of Police, we are not going to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach in dealing with crime, but the Green Paper of Police emphasizes the importance of an integrated and sustainable crime strategy.
“It aims to create a horizon for the kind of police service that is desirable and represents the ethos of a democratic country,” said Mnisi.
On Monday, the public consultations were held in Cape Town and the attendees raised and deliberated on various issues, ranging from police response times, partnerships with communities, resource allocation, ill-discipline by some members of law enforcement agencies, performance measures, accountability as well as institutional arrangements.
The attendees also provided various proposed solutions which will be incorporated into the Green Paper on Policing.
One of the dominant issues at the workshop was around the Green Paper of Policing proposal around a single police service.
Mnisi maintains that the transforming the police is central in the fight against crime that will be guided by the hegemony of the aspirations of all law abiding South Africans.
“In transforming the police, we had to strengthen the civilian oversight, deepen its relationship with communities, build partnerships with civil society broadly, labour and business, and contribute to the observance of the culture of human rights.”
Deadline for submission of comments has been extended to 20 July 2013 to allow South Africans to make inputs.
The Green Paper on Policing is available on various websites including www.policesecretariat.gov.za or www.gov.za or www.saps.gov.za. Copies of the policy document can be obtained from the Civilian Secretariat for Police on (012) 393-2519. – SAnews.gov.za
