The paper describes the central features of the policing doctrines of political parties, assesses the impact of pressures from liberal and conservative parties, and reviews changes and continuities under the new de Klerk Government. During the 1980s, the conflict grew particularly intense as a result of the escalation of popular unrest and police repression and government departures from traditional apartheid policies. Parties to the left and right issued diametrically opposed criticisms of policing. Since the inauguration in September 1989 of Frederik de Klerk, a reformist president, some official pronouncements suggest at least an implicit rejection of the status quo. Recently, the Minister of Law and Order acknowledged the need to promote greater contact between police and blacks and to increase black representation in the force. 50 notes and 20 references (Author abstract modified)