NCJ Number
128503
Journal
Southern African Journal of Criminology Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (1990) Pages: 36-42
Date Published
1990
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Respect for the value of individual human rights, upon which democracy is based, also provides the basis for the paradox of democratic policing as the authority to disrupt a person's freedom, invade his privacy, and use force against him is invested in the lowest levels of police bureaucracy. This article on police in South Africa reviews this paradox.
Abstract
There are several elements in the police-democracy conflict: consensus, policing by consent, social contract, and power versus equality. In democracies, restrictions placed upon the power of the police take the form of legislation, sovereignty of law, individual rights, and social attitudes toward police. Inherent characteristics of democratic police include decentralization; the civil service nature of police; external controls exercised by the judiciary, legislature, civilian review boards, and ombudsmen; and a democratic police internal structure consisting of standardized rules and regulations, job mobility, and employee participation. A democratic police force can be ensured through effective use of recruiting tactics, vetting procedures, education, and minimum use of force. 14 references