Publication

This paper reviews the process of police reform in South Africa as part of its democratic transition. It shows that by the 1990s, South African police had a reputation for brutality, corruption and ineptitude, and most police organizations were militarized, hierarchical and poorly equipped to deal with 'ordinary' crime. The author discusses the challenges of transforming forces into legitimate police organizations and the possibilities for and implications of rapid change. She examines the organization and control of the police, ways of improving police-community relations and crime prevention methods.