In South Africa, there is almost no research evidence that policing reduces crime or improves feelings of safety. Does this mean that police have no positive impact? Not at all. Instead, the link between police activities and goals has yet to be competently shown. Working together, South Africa’s police and research community can change this.

An evidence-based approach to policing sees police and researchers generate, review and apply the best available research evidence to challenge and inform police policies, practices and decisions. It enables police to do more of what matters most and less of what doesn’t work.

This page highlights the work of the evidence-based team at the Institute for Security Studies. The work undertaken shows how meaningful partnerships between police and competent academic and civil society researchers can help transform the SAPS into the professional agency it strives to be.

To access the research, scroll to the bottom on this page