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Assessing the prevalence of unethical behaviour in the South African police service

Author

Listed:
  • Maxwell Haurovi

    (University of Johannesburg, South Africa)

  • Alouis Chilunjika

    (Midlands State University, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

States have always used their law enforcement and security organs to ensure that communities are peaceful, liveable and tranquil. These include the police services such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), which serves the same function in the local contexts. In pursuing its mandate, the SAPS uses preventative and curative strategies to establish community peace and calm. These are ensured through various policy and statutory prescriptions, including the Constitution and Code of Conduct. The study uses Adam Smith’s theory of Moral Sentiments to unpack and assess unethical conduct within the SAPS. Using the qualitative methodological approach, hinged on an interpretive research philosophy, the study gathered data from written documents. The collected data was analysed using content and thematic analysis techniques. The study established that upholding ethical and professional conduct by police officers within the crime prevention mandate of the SAPS remains problematic. SAPS encountered challenges like police corruption, bribery, illegal protection, and extortion. The study thus makes various recommendations, including a professionalised recruitment process for the SAPS.

Suggested Citation

  • Maxwell Haurovi & Alouis Chilunjika, 2023. "Assessing the prevalence of unethical behaviour in the South African police service," Insights into Regional Development, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 5(4), pages 36-48, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ssi:jouird:v:5:y:2023:i:4:p:36-48
    DOI: 10.9770/IRD.2023.5.4(3)
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Doraval Govender & Krisandren Pillay, 2022. "Policing in South Africa: A Critical Evaluation," Insight on Africa, , vol. 14(1), pages 40-56, January.
    2. Jungin Kim, 2023. "Ethical leadership and program to reduce unethical behaviour among public employees," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(7), pages 1333-1347, July.
    3. Ben Bradford & Aziz Huq & Jonathan Jackson & Benjamin Roberts, 2014. "What price fairness when security is at stake? Police legitimacy in South Africa," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(2), pages 246-268, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    unethical behaviour; police; misdemeanours; South African police service; professionalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption

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