Institute for Security Studies- New Approach to Community Policing

On July 13, 2004, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) hosted a seminar on sector policing, as it has been developed for the unique historical policing problems and rising crime rate in South Africa. Sector policing is based on a philosophy of community policing. Seminar speakers included Janine Rauch, research consultant and co-author of the monograph on sector policing; Dr. William Dixon, co-author of the sector policing monograph and criminology lecturer at Keele University, London; and Commissioner Machabi, area commissioner of the West Rand. 

Janine Rauch spoke about the origins and development of sector policing specifically in the South African context

Dr. Bill Dixon presented the London experience with sector policing, particularly in Holloway. He highlighted its aims, including the effective use of resources, community co-operation, as well as the identification and ownership of local problems; the challenges facing sector policing in Holloway, such as inadequate resources and policy changes; and overall lessons from London. Presentation available here  (pdf)

Commissioner Machabi discussed sector policing and West Rand. He addressed ways to improve the implementation of sector policing, organizational dynamics (including external influences), issues of grass roots implementation, management, as well as sector policing and the South African Police Service. Presentation available here

Presented by the Crime and Justice Programme, which aims to promote a secure South Africa through assisting government and civil society in understanding crime and its reduction, the seminar was funded by the Hanns Seidel Foundation.