The SAPS Act 68 of 1995, legislated Community Police Forums (CPF) as the only recognised consultative forum designed to permit communities to make their policing concerns known to the police.

The CPF ensures the efficient and appropriate service delivery of safety and security to the community of Durban North & Umhlanga.

Members address complaints against the police on behalf of the community and against criminal elements in a particular community on behalf of policing partners.

They facilitate safety and security meetings between the community and law enforcement entities.

CPFs assist police by improving police service delivery to their communities and strengthening partnerships between the community and police.

They promote joint problem solving and ensure police accountability.

The CPF ensures proper communication between the police and the community – which enhances the police’s ability to combat and prevent crime.

Communities are thus able to monitor, evaluate and advise police.

Police, in turn, become accountable to the communities they serve.

It produces safety plans from reported police statistics, as well as community needs and complaints regarding crime hot spots and suspicious activities.

The CPF plans and participates in anti-crime exercises which are determined by the community’s complaints, and issues picked up by CPF and Neighbourhood Watch patrols.

The CPF builds communication and problem-solving channels between all policing partners and the community.

The CPF assists in crime prevention by means coordinating of neighbourhood patrols with registered Neighbourhood Watches, Street Watches and Community In Blue, with the aim to decrease crime in areas where patrols are visible and deter criminal activity. Suspicious activity is channelled through to authorities.

Information regarding social problems is also passed on to relevant authorities.

SAPS remain the operational police authority. The CPF is there to augment and assist the SAPS in a reactive scene and, where they have not yet arrived, and to stand in for the SAPS until they do arrive on the scene.

CPF members are trained to and can react to crime scenes, contain crime scenes, do point duty, manage accident scenes, and support the SAPS, Metro Police and to track and trace perpetrators of crime. A CPF member may also carry out a citizen’s arrest if the need arises.

The CPF assists at crime scenes, to ensure that vital evidence, witnesses, and suspects are on hand for the SAPS.