Accountability of Plural Policing in the City of Cape Town 20 June 2007 Presentation by Julie Berg

Research on plural policing arrangements and oversight in and around Cape Town Research conducted on plural policing and oversight thereof, 2006-7 Three case studies ‘Plural policing’: the range of organizations and networks involved in policing – either indirectly or directly Rise of ‘security networks’

Main Research Findings: Security Networks Partnerships between the SAPS and private security: joint operations and regular meetings Involvement of other role-players City Improvement Districts

Main Research Findings: What is the role of the SAPS? A large part of ‘policing’ is not done by SAPS but by “supporting organisations” Recognition that SAPS cannot manage alone – need for ‘community’ buy-in SAPS as facilitator or ‘closing the deal’

Main research findings: What is the role of private security? ‘Force multiplying’ and ‘eyes and ears’ role Make SAPS job easier Visible policing goals between the two forces are aligning (extension of SAPS) Involved in people-orientated security-related issues and the physical environment “Public space security” v. “private space security” CID private security has become a networker

Main research findings: Current context of oversight Operation of oversight bodies in silos to some extent (lack of engagement between PSIRA and the rest) Lack of resources / capacity to fulfill mandates Deeper oversight issues which oversight bodies cannot solve (e.g. private security)

Main research findings: Current context of oversight Who does what? (Negative) perception from public and others on effectiveness Who guards the guardians? Independence v. grass roots involvement Dedicated oversight bodies v. built-in oversight

Workshop findings Recognition of the pervasiveness of private security Recognition of blurring of policing duties (SAPS, metro, private security) Need for better partnering between SAPS and private security PSIRA effectiveness – evolve or be replaced by new watchdog body Reconceptualise private security oversight: PSIRA as regulator v. overseer PSIRA play a human rights role? Subsume private security oversight into Dept. of Community Safety mandate? Need to map levels of abuse by private security first

Challenges There is a mobilisation of policing entities and role-players but not a similar mobilisation of the different oversight bodies – need for co-ordination Accountability deficit for plural policing arrangements? Build in oversight: dedicated oversight agencies v. indirect oversight

Reconceptualising policing

Way forward: recommendations Need for a reconceptualisation of policing and the oversight thereof Re-evaluate oversight roles and effectiveness (esp. PSIRA) Need for coordination of oversight bodies (Patten Commission) Partnerships: decision needs to be made whether to formalise partnerships v. status quo CPFs can play a broader role (built-in oversight)