A criminological investigation into University campus protection in Southern Africa : a comparative study
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Date
1995
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Abstract
Any tertiary campus is a place composed of unique people requiring atypical law
enforcement in comparison to other communities. Conflict between commonweal interests and proprietary responsibility calls for an unbiased discretionary and non-repressive approach to policing (protection) in a calm atmosphere that is conducive to learning for a tranquil environment sought in academia.
Law enforcement agencies, including university campus protective systems, share the
broad and sometimes vague mandate to enforce the law and keep the peace and order
among their respective communities.
Although a few studies have been conducted into overseas campus protective systems, no similar research has previously been undertaken in Southern Africa. This scientific
research is thus the first of its kind in Southern Africa.
The objectives of this study are therefore primarily -
• to address the short-coming in knowledge about campus law enforcement in
Southern Africa. Consequently, this research is aimed to analyze and define the
organization and administration of campus protection at selected Southern Africa
universities; • to render a clear account of the role and functions. There of by campus law
enforcement personnel by means of breaking down their daily duties and
activities, and • to account for the nature and extent of campus crime during the year I January to 31 December 1992.
The exploratory, descriptive and comparative research is positivistic in nature. On the
other hand the analytical research method followed, explored and examined overseas and limited local literature available.
The survey-procedure was followed for the purpose of data collection. Pre-structured and
coded questionnaires were adopted as measuring-instrument in order to obtain information
regarding aspects of diversity relating to organizational and functional campus protection.
Ten arbitrary and selected Southern Africa universities were involved in the investigation.
Conclusions and recommendations are vested in statistical information derived from these
ten universities. The findings indicate that -
• substantial and noteworthy progress has been made among campus protective
systems in Southern Africa. New and improved facilities, modern equipment,
beneficial budgets and reformed standard of personnel have afforded a position
to the betterment of university campus protection. While some campus protective
systems have enhanced the quality of their performance, many fail to
efficaciously utilize these benefits in reaching their imminent objective;
• the organizational and administrative functioning of university campus protection
constantly show a typical para-military bureaucratic tendency cast in the same
mould of the Max Weber's rationalism theory;
• cooperation between higher-learning, campus student personnel and campus
protection is a matter of course and augmenting the necessity for a particular
framework of a cooperative disciplinary programme in order to prevent
apprehensiveness of campus crime;
• although no national or institutional obligation exists for reporting campus crime
separately, the research indicates that the overwhelming preponderance of campus
crime prevailing, is a contravention of university disciplinary regulations and
criminal offenses against private and institutional property and persons (students
and personnel). All aspects of campus jurisdiction must therefore be addressed
by purposeful campus protective programmes.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fuIrtlment of the requirements for the
degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHIAE in the Department of Criminal Justice at the
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 1995.
Keywords
Universities and colleges--South Africa--Safety measures., Universities life, Universities safety