Abstract
An efficient integrated transport system is a vital component for South Africa as it
continues to become increasingly integrated socially, politically, and economically.
Recognised is the role of provincial and national railways as gateways, both into
remote and urban communities and between provinces. This paper examines the
dissolution of the South African Railway Police Force (SARPF) and transfer of
police officials. The paper approaches this issue primarily, although not
exclusively, through the prism of restructuring, and if had had the intended effect.
It briefly describes the background and changes in the demand for and role of the
Rapid Rail Police Unit (RRPU) in the Western Cape Province, as well as the
subsequent developments in the railway environment. The method used in
collecting data was semi-structured interviews. The non-probability sampling based
on the purposive method was used to select the twenty (20) participants comprised
of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa Protection and Security Services
(PRASA PSS), the SAPS officials, as well as commuters.
A summary of the main data categories and the sub-categories is presented in the
form of themes. Three themes emerged from the final synthesis of the findings,
namely: (1) RRPU not structured as a specialised unit; (2) there is need for detective
and crime intelligence capacity within the Railway police; and (3) there is a need for structuring of a detective and crime intelligence capacity. Amongst other
aspects, a fundamental change in the way the Railway Police functions needed a
paradigm shift, as well as, extraordinarily effective management and operating from
a basis of knowledge of what works and what does not within the railway
environment. It was concluded that there is a need for a detective and crime
intelligence capacity to guide future strategic decisions by the South African Police
Service (SAPS) Top Management regarding policing railway environment.
Keywords
Details
| Other ID | JA82EJ94FG |
|---|---|
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | January 1, 2018 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2018 Volume: 10 Issue: 1 |