Community policing forum : exploring general community and CPF members’ perspective on the value of and the effectiveness of CPF in Glenmore and Umbilo communities.

Abstract

A community policing forum (CPF) is one of the structures used for crime prevention within the community. This structure is used nationally; its objectives are likely to be similar in some of the countries. This study sought to explore the perspective of community members and CPF members on the value and effectiveness of Community Police Forums in the area of Glenmore and Umbilo. The researcher intended to explore various which can make CPF effective within the study area with the hope of minimising crime rate and related incidents. To obtain that, the researcher had five objectives which were; To explore the perspective of community members and CPF members on the value and effectiveness of CPF within the communities; to determine the roles of CPF within the community; to determine whether the community members of the stated areas are aware about the existence of CPF; to determine the need of CPF within the community and to explore the challenges faced by the CPF members. Triangulation of theories which included Broken Windows Theory and Social Disorganisation Theory has been used as the theoretical framework. This study applied a qualitative design located with an interpretivist paradigm. In-depth interviews with ordinary community members and CPF members were conducted (triangulation of sources). The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study showed that the CPF in the stated areas is effective, even though the structure is isolated from community members. The members of the community see the value of having community policing forums within the communities. Most community members claimed not to know about the strategies used to broadcast the existence of the forum within their community. CPF members also outlined the challenges which they are facing, to mention a few they, pointed out that in Umbilo community members are renting properties, and they keep on changing their residential and that lead them into not taking much responsibility in crime prevention methods which the community implements.