Rethinking Traditional and Contemporary Law Enforcement Training in South Africa: An Exploratory Review

Abstract

This article focuses on traditional and current methods of training officers at police training academies in South Africa. Traditional Police Training takes the form of paramilitarism that creates a warrior-type mentality, which involves a relatively simplistic guiding philosophy of crime control. Some of the training provided in police academies is irrelevant to real police work, as physical training dominates academic teaching in training colleges.  Policing is a complex and difficult career that requires a high degree of professionalism. The evolution of relevant investigation-assistive technology has advanced and has shaped police functions over the years. The result is that South African Police Service (SAPS) officers now focus on the modern law enforcement function of quality-of-life improvement for citizens. Effective modern policing techniques now encompass non-traditional police expectations that require officers to understand a broader range of issues. Completing the tasks needed throughout a career in law enforcement requires the ability to collect evidence and solve problems while understanding the totality of a crime. SAPS officers, however, receive inadequate training on weapon safety and the use of non-lethal force as a means to apprehend criminals. In firearm-related crimes, SAPS ballistics analysts lack sufficient training and inadequate training in terms of DNA/forensic investigations/crime. This article calls for a rethink of law enforcement training strategies.