Policing for a New South Africa

Mike Brogden and Clifford Shearing examine the state police force of South Africa, an organization that, since its formation, has acquired massive notoriety. Its officers have a reputation for routinely provoking violence and torturing suspects. As the key bastion of apartheid, it is in urgent need of change. InPolicing for a New South Africa,Brogden and Shearing evaluate the options for reform. They critically analyze orthodox policing ideas imported from the West and contrast them with the indigenous model of independent policing from the townships of South Africa.Policing for a New South Africadocuments this network of local policing and judicial processes. Together they offer significant possibilities for the future within a dual policing system of the state and civilians. The authors also suggest that South Africans involved in social reform need not import ideas wholesale from the West when they have their own experience on which to draw.In fact, in light of the relative failures of their own police systems, the West may have much to learn from South Africa.