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

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

3. 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

4. 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’

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Reconceptualising policing

11. 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)