Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Act, 2011 (Act No. 2 of 2011)RegulationsCivilian Secretariat for Police Service Regulations, 2016Chapter 8 : Reference Groups30. Reference Groups |
| (1) | Civil Society Reference Groups contemplated in section 6(2) of the Act must be established by the Civilian Secretariat in the following focus areas: |
| (a) | monitoring and evaluation |
| (b) | partnerships |
| (c) | policy and research |
| (d) | Implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, 1998. |
| (2) | The Secretary appoints the members of a Civil Society Reference Group in consultation with head of the core Unit of the Civilian Secretariat responsible for the particular focus area. |
| (3) | A Reference Group established in terms of sub-regulation (1) may have the following objectives— |
| (a) | to play an advisory role to the Secretariat with regard to policy formulation, implementation and compliance; |
| (b) | to identify policy gaps on policing and safety and security issues; |
| (c) | to provide a forum for debate on policing and safety and security issues; |
| (d) | to identify remedial measures to improve policing; |
| (e) | to advise on good practices with regard to policing; |
| (f) | to recommend innovative methodologies to monitor, assess and evaluate the police service as far as compliance with policing policy is concerned; |
| (g) | to contribute to policy development within the safety and security cluster; |
| (h) | to advise on developing partnerships and strategies to mobilise communities in the prevention of crime; |
| (i) | to advise on matters relating to domestic violence |
| (4) | The specific terms of reference of an established Reference Group for a particular focus area must be developed by the Reference Group and submitted to the Secretary for approval. |
| (5) | A combination of identified policy makers, members of the academia, civil society groupings, non-governmental organisations and members of the business fraternity with a focus on policing and crime prevention may form part of a Reference Group. |
| (6) | Ahead of a provincial secretariat may be invited to nominate a member to become ex officio members of a particular Reference Group. |
| (7) | The Reference Group will be convened and chaired by the Head of the relevant Unit of the Civilian Secretariat. |
| (8) | The Reference Group must meet at least once per quarter. |
| (9) | The Civilian Secretariat will provide administrative support to a Reference Group, including— |
| (a) | taking and circulation of minutes within seven days after the meeting; |
| (b) | the co-ordination of meetings; |
| (c) | drafting and circulation of the agenda a week before the meeting to allow for additional points to be added by members; |
| (d) | corresponding with members of the Reference Group; and |
| (e) | arranging flights and accommodation for members of the Reference Group as may be necessary. |
| (10) | Members of the Reference Group may not be remunerated. |
| (12) | Where a particular individual member or institution has a conflict of interest in respect of any matter under discussion by a Reference Group, the particular individual or the representative of the particular institution must recuse himself or herself from discussion of the particular agenda item. |
| (13) | A member of the Reference Group must uphold confidentiality at all times and is bound by the Civilian Secretariat’s code of confidentiality. |