Policing in South Africa has changed dramatically since 1990. Demands from the public that the police must be an open system where members of the public can work in partnership with the police gave rise to the establishment of Community Policing Forums. This new approach to policing will require flexibility within the police service and an investment of trust as well as empowerment of both the community and the police. The police and communities must combine their insights and resources to create new approaches to contemporary community concerns. This means that the police cannot impose order on the community and that police priorities must be negotiated with the communities they serve. One of the greatest challenges under the new model of community policing is for the police to change their perception of themselves as the strong arm of an unrepresentative government to a police service that professionally fulfills the policing needs of all people in a democratic context. Due to its history, many sectors of the South African community still view the police with mistrust and hatred. This history of police oppression has played a part in the escalation of crime and the general failure of police agencies to have a decisive, positive role in the resolution of community conflict. A 9-item bibliography