Douglasdale CPF chairperson Jean Berdou talks on forum’s constitution
FOURWAYS – Read what the chairperson of the Douglasdale CPF has to say about the CPF's constitution.
The chairperson of the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF), Jean Berdou assured the community that the forum had received their comments after residents had a chance to examine the forum’s constitution.
In an effort to explain the workings of the forum further Berdou said, “The Douglasdale CPF is a voluntary organisation which aims to serve the greater community of the Douglasdale precinct. There are many sub-forums which make up the CPF.”
He added that these sub-forums were Neighbourhood Watch, community patrollers, victim support counsellors, volunteers at the Douglasdale police station and sector forums.
“Every resident, person employed, or owning property within the precinct is a member of the community and there is no membership form [to join the forum] that needs to be submitted. It would be discriminatory to exclude anyone based on tax paid, income, race, religion, etc.”
He added that registered membership of the forum was only for those members of the community who would like to serve in some capacity on the forum, be it Neighbourhood Watch or as a community patroller.
“Becoming a registered member includes signing and abiding by the code of conduct of the CPF. Each sector forum presently meets monthly, and the former committee management team meets monthly as well. There will be more public meetings in the future, organised either by the sector forums [as occurs in Sector 1 already].”
He said an executive member of the forum may not serve more than two terms in the same position.
“The term of five years is dictated by the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board, to be in line with the hierarchical structure above precinct level. The term is synchronised with the term of office of the Provincial Commissioner which is a five-year term and this was decided to provide the CPFs with continuity.”
Berdou further added that the code of conduct was defined in an annexure to the constitution. “All annexures form part of the constitution. A CPF registered member may need to get involved with a security company when a situation arises… for example when there has been a criminal incident. Interaction with security companies is a vital part of the CPFs work, as is interaction with other parties involved in the fight against crime.”
The new constitution also dealt with remuneration or gain from all sources. “… it is clear former committee members are not entitled to remuneration and registered CPF members are not allowed to exploit their membership to their own personal advantage.”
He added that the CPF encouraged transparency and accountability. “The CPF has a public AGM, and reports back annually on the status of the [forum’s] bank account, and achievements and projects during the year. The CPF is also subject to annual financial audit.”
