Protector or predator? - Institute for Security Studies
Protector or predator? - Institute for Security Studies
Protector or predator? - Institute for Security Studies
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Gareth Newham and Andrew Faull<br />
PromotiNG a positive poliCE culture<br />
A positive police culture that supp<strong>or</strong>ts honesty, hard w<strong>or</strong>k and dedication to<br />
the values and goals of a professional police service is one of the most powerful<br />
ways to prevent c<strong>or</strong>ruption and engender pride. The biggest threat to a c<strong>or</strong>rupt<br />
member of the service is the presence of honest police officials who will not tolerate<br />
activities that undermine the profession.<br />
In this respect the SAPS should:<br />
■■<br />
■■<br />
■■<br />
Ensure that c<strong>or</strong>e police values (as found in the Constitution and Codes of<br />
Conduct and Ethics) become part of all police training. Training must make<br />
sure that police understand how and why doing their job to the c<strong>or</strong>rect standard<br />
is in line with the c<strong>or</strong>e values. Furtherm<strong>or</strong>e, police need to be trained in<br />
ethical decision-making. In situations where the rules and procedures do not<br />
provide adequate guidance, police officials need to know how to make decisions<br />
based on ethical imperatives.<br />
Conduct a sustained campaign to identify, recognise and reward professional<br />
policing practice, behaviour and attitudes. ‘Integrity certificates’ should be<br />
considered f<strong>or</strong> those who arrest people f<strong>or</strong> trying to bribe police members,<br />
<strong>or</strong> who expose c<strong>or</strong>ruption within their ranks. The award of such certificates<br />
should supp<strong>or</strong>t members’ requests f<strong>or</strong> transfers <strong>or</strong> promotion.<br />
Improve management training so that it includes training about their responsibilities<br />
as leaders and role models. The training should enable managers to<br />
resolve conflict, manage diversity and ensure discipline.<br />
ENHANCiNG accountability<br />
The objective of enhancing accountability is to reduce the opp<strong>or</strong>tunities f<strong>or</strong><br />
police to become involved in c<strong>or</strong>ruption and other abuses of power. Members of<br />
the service should know that there are strong systems in place to hold them accountable<br />
if they abuse their powers. The following will help to achieve this aim:<br />
■■<br />
Establishing systems f<strong>or</strong> receiving, processing and analysing all complaints<br />
against police members. Even where allegations are too vague to warrant an<br />
investigation, the inf<strong>or</strong>mation needs to be captured so that it can be analysed<br />
f<strong>or</strong> trends and patterns, allowing commanders to identify areas of concern f<strong>or</strong><br />
Monograph 182 51
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