The vision of the SAPS is to create a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa.
The mission of the SAPS is to:
- prevent and combat anything that may threaten the safety and security of any community;
- investigate any crimes that threaten the safety and security of any community;
- ensure offenders are brought to justice; and
- participate in efforts to address the root causes of crime.
The National Development Plan (NDP) envisages a South African society which is safe at home, at school and at work and enjoying a life which is free of fear.
This is also in line with Outcome 3 (All people in South Africa are and feel safe) of government’s 2014-2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).
The NDP sets five priorities for the achievement of the above vision:
- Strengthen the criminal justice system;
- Make the police service professional;
- Demilitarise the police;
- Build safety using an integrated approach; and
- Build community participation in safety.
Chapter 12 of the National Development Plan outlines a vision to build safer communities through demilitarising and professionalising the police service, and adopting an integrated and holistic approach to safety and security in South Africa.
This vision is given expression by Priority 5 (social cohesion and safe communities) of government’s 2019‐2024 Medium‐ Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), with which the work of the Department of Police is aligned.
The department was expected to focus on strengthening safety in communities through community policing forums (CPFs); reducing violent crime, specifically those committed against women and children; employing the stabilisation and normalisation approaches to fighting crime; and improving capacity for specialised investigations.