On 6 March, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) was invited to address the official launch of the Consultative Forum between the two bodies tasked with overseeing police conduct in South Africa – the Civilian Secretariat for Police (CSP) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). The ISS’ contribution was the culmination of a lengthy process to help improve legislation and practice on police oversight.

The ISS has a long-standing relationship with IPID and its predecessor, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD). A joint ISS-ICD study in 2007 assessed police compliance with ICD recommendations and directly shaped the legislation passed in 2011 to establish and govern IPID.

During the countrywide discussions of the results of the joint study, ISS first proposed a coordinating structure to optimise the oversight functions of IPID, CSP and the South Africa Police Service (SAPS). This advice was taken up and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act 1 of 2011 calls for the establishment of a consultative forum between IPID and the civilian secretariat.

The Cape Town launch was attended by policing leaders including the Executive Director of IPID, Robert McBride, the Acting Secretary of Police, Reneva Fourie, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Francois Beukman and the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in the Western Cape, Lt Gen Arno La Moer. Government officials, the media and representatives of community organisations also participated.

IPID spokesperson, Moses Dlamini, acknowledged ISS’ contribution and said the directorate would find ways to deal with the separate but overlapping mandates of IPID and the civilian secretariat. After the launch, the ISS’ analysis on police oversight was sought by key media such as SABC TV, Radio 702 and Die Burger.

ISS hopes to continue supporting IPID in order to improve independent oversight of the police and professional policing. Research, analysis and policy advice are part of the ISS’ overall effort to improve criminal justice in South Africa.

credit link:  http://www.issafrica.org/iss-spotlight/iss-advice-shapes-legislation-and-practice-on-police-oversight

The article was first published by The Institute for Security Studies ( http://www.issafrica.org) and is republished with permission  granted to www.oasesnews.com