Protective Services and crime control in the University Community : a study of the University of Zululand Protective Unit
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Date
2001
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the role played by the Protective Services Unit in controlling crime in the community of the University of Zululand.
In assessing the major impact of crime as a form of deviance in the university community, the theories of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Robert Merton and Llyod Ohlin had a tremendous influence in this study. Other sociological theories used are also considered as contributory to this research.
For purpose of collecting data, survey questionnaires were administered to solicit information from 110 respondents, which included students, administrative staff, academics and general workers.
To put the role of the protective services unit and crime control in the university community into context, chapter three of this research contains the hierarchical structure of the protective services department, the mission statement of the protective services, and some of the policies and procedures of the protective services department.
The hypothesis that were formulated for statistical testing revealed that lack of co-operation from members of the university community, hinders the role of the protective services in controlling crime. The findings of this research also revealed that lack of paramilitary training among the protective services
officials results in their inability to control crime effectively. It was also found in this research that lack of legal knowledge among members of the protective services department hinders their performance on crime control. Furthermore, this research showed that the present structure of the protective services unit has an effect on the worker's performance.
In the light of the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made: The establishment of a university task team that would review strategies for effective crime prevention on campus. Secondly, the established task team could also explore the feasibility of developing resources to assist those who have been victims of crime. Thirdly, it could also be appropriate for the task team to review the physical environment of the whole campus. The establishment of a protection brochure for students and staff members of the University of Zululand could also be considered. The present Government of South Africa could also consider the establishment of a Campus Security Act. Lastly, another step might involve establishing a paid student dorm patrol.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Fuculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology at the University of Zululand, 2001.
Keywords
Protective Services - University of Zululand