PARTNERS AGAINST CRIME: From community to Partnership policing

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines the evolution of partnership policing from community policing, focusing on its application in South Africa and comparing it with international models. It argues that partnership policing is an independent model based on a 'multi-agency approach' where police, the public, and government agencies share responsibility for community safety.

• Partnership policing has evolved from the paternalistic model of community policing into an independent 'multi-agency approach' where the police, public, elected officials, and other agencies work together. This shift moves away from the 1960s and 1970s welfare state model, where the public were 'clients' dependent on police expertise, toward a model of 'shared responsibility'.
• In South Africa, partnership policing is currently managed under the framework of community policing and is implemented through Community Police Forums (CPFs). While some partnerships are successful, others are dysfunctional or non-existent, often depending on the dedication of the station commissioner and local community leadership.
• The South African Police Service (SAPS) faces significant internal obstacles to effective partnership policing, specifically excessive 'red tape' and a lack of empowerment for local officials. Decisions made at the local level often require time-consuming permission from the national level, and middle management is described as frequently unprofessional and disorganised.
• A critical shortcoming in the South African approach is the lack of involvement from local government structures. The document asserts that without the participation of local authorities—who manage education, housing, and recreation—the prevention of crime is inhibited.
• The business sector contributes to partnership policing through managerial expertise, problem-solving skills, and funding. However, in South Africa, the Business Against Crime (BAC) initiative has been criticized for being co-opted by the political establishment and for favoring centralized coordination over local development.
• International case studies illustrate the effectiveness of the partnership approach. In London's Kings Cross, a partnership between councils, police, and community representatives reduced drug dealing and prostitution through joint intelligence and environmental changes. In Holland, the Reduce Crime Enschede-Haven project successfully reduced crime on an industrial site by employing unemployed locals for preventive surveillance.
• To advance partnership policing in South Africa, the author recommends establishing a 'code of practice' to define the roles of police, correctional services, and local councils, and increasing the focus on crime prevention through education involving parents, schools, and health and welfare departments.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). PARTNERS AGAINST CRIME: From community to Partnership policing. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_16.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. PARTNERS AGAINST CRIME: From community to Partnership policing. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_16.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=PARTNERS AGAINST CRIME: From community to Partnership policing |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_16.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesndpartners, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{PARTNERS AGAINST CRIME: From community to Partnership policing}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/paper_16.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }