All South African police stations must have a functioning Community Police Forum (CPF) attached to the station which acts as the link between the public and law enforcement and, more importantly, conducts civilian oversight on the effectiveness of the station.
CPFs in turn have a Community In Blue (CIB) element comprised of men and women patrollers who support and strengthen visible policing and bolster operations. More importantly, they are the eyes and ears on the ground looking for and reporting criminal elements and crime to authorities.
“CIB members take a proactive approach to reducing crime in their neighbourhoods, deter anti-social behaviour and play a supportive role in social crime prevention strategies at a local level,” said Thabo Thipe Gauteng Department of Community Safety, community-police relations coordinator.
There is a critical shortage of personnel in the police, acknowledged by the speech delivered by General Bheki Cele, Minister of Police on May 24 in his budget vote speech. Funds announced will be used to ‘channel adequate and functional resources and manpower to police stations to ensure that the fight against crime is effective and efficient in winning public confidence in policing.
While improvements are expected, the CIB programme continues its important work and tries to plug the gaps currently plaguing the police in executing their functions. CIB volunteers are unarmed eyes and ears of the community primarily, feeding information to law enforcement authorities.
The Fairland CPF has an active CPF and CIB who ‘recorded impressive 244 hours on duty in May’ said CPF secretary Bhaai Cassim and patroller captain.
They are now assisting the Linden CPF to establish and train new volunteers. “This kind of collaboration between stations is encouraged and applauded,” said Fairland Police Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Clive de Freitas.
“We need good strong neighbours, so we are liaising with the Linden CPF so we can all work together and rely on each other if needed.”
Annelize Tichauer, chair of the Linden CPF, said she is thrilled that Fairland is ‘helping with practical training that comes from having a great working relationship’.
Tichauer said several people have already come forward to register to be a CIB volunteer, but as with Fairland, they need more.
If you would like to apply to become a CIB patroller, please contact Bhaai Cassim Fairland CPF on 082 443 2245; Annelize Tichauer Linden CPF on 083 297 4994.
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