Changing dilemmas and the dilemmas of change: Transforming the public order police unit in Durban

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the transformation of the Public Order Police Unit in Durban. On the basis of interviews and field work undertaken at Chatsworth Police Training College, it argues that the two “traditional” mechanisms which have been used to create change (i.e. training and policy) have been limited in their achievements due to the lack of a clear vision by management, as well as poor supervision and command of rank‐and‐file police in the unit. The paper also argues that the current extensive involvement of this unit in general policing has the dangerous potential of militarising the police role and, simultaneously, weakening its special capacities.