Police stations in communities and informal settlements in South Africa represent more than infrastructure and personnel. They are or should be a symbol of a common and consistent set of rules. The SAPS, however, is a large organization and sometimes its rules and instructions are overlooked. Effective leadership is an important component of the police organization, and efforts by the South African government to neutralize police politics have left the police service without authoritative leadership. The SAPS needs strategic direction and visible policing in high crime areas. Some argue the police service should be decentralized to provincial and area levels, while others believe institutional reform will fail unless such reform is tied to renewing the professionalism of the SAPS. Whatever the approach taken, good police management and leadership are essential to police effectiveness. 2 photographs