Pretoria –On the 5th and 6th February, the Civilian Secretariat for Police hosted a policy dialogue on monitoring and evaluation and police conduct. This was the first of its kind in the history of the country. This event was attended by a diverse group which included amongst others, provincial heads of departments, Metro Police departments , IPID, SAPS, Office of the Judge (DPCI), Academic Institutions, NGO’s and other departments. This event is responding to the Constitutional obligation that provinces are entitled to monitor police conduct and the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Police. The main objective of this event was:
- To share information on police conduct
- To draw insights and strategic expectation of executive
- To identify strategic priorities for improving police conduct.
Various policy papers were discussed, presenters included DDG in the Presidency Mr J. Rathebe, Office of the Judge/ DPCI Judge E Moosa, ISS was represented by Dr Burger and APCOF by Mr S. Tait.
In her opening remarks the Acting Secretary indicated that in a democratic country, the nature of policing required is the one that ensures that there is a balance between the safety and security of the country and the promotion of human rights, accountability, transparency and efficiency.
She indicated that the Ministry of Police is prioritising issues of police conduct as they are central in the professionalisation, discipline and demilitarisation of police as reflected in the NDP. She also thanked all the strategic partners such SAPS, IPID, Metro’s etc in responding positively on the call towards prioritisation of police conduct matters in the country and urge partners not only to concentrate on misconduct but to incentivise pro-actively the good conduct by the police officials. She indicated Secretariat will continue to co-ordinate efforts that will ensure that these matters are translated into tangible policies and strategies of the police service.
