Strategic perspectives on crime and policing in South Africa (Paperback)

Reviewed by AW V. - 19 July 2010

Strategic Perspectives on Crime and Policing in South Africa: J. Burger As a member of the South African Police, a Facilitator / Trainer in Crime Prevention and a Student in and of Crime prevention, this book is a ‘BIG MUST READ’ and reference for ‘ALL’ Police Officials (Members and Officers), including Top Management. We as the ‘Police’ think that we know what Crime Prevention is and what Crime Prevention is all about, BUT the reality is that we as the ‘Police’ don’t ‘KNOW’, and therefore we as the Police must also have an understanding of the history of Crime Prevention in South Africa, what the Government “view” of Crime Prevention is, and what exactly the current Crime Prevention Policies are all about and or the lack thereof... This book also identifies the “Political manipulations” of the crime prevention approach by Government, the “short comings” with Political commitment and strategy (if we can say there is any) and the important issues identified by the author, for example: the difference between Crime Combating and Crime Prevention, the different stages / phases of crime prevention approaches / ‘policies’ within the Police environment, in terms of their strategic planning. And that ‘'nobody'’ within the Government and or the Police have the “guts” to directly and publicly state that Sir Robert Peels 1829 dictum is ‘mostly outdated’ for our modern world of policing, especially the “prevention of crime” as the sole responsibility of the police!!