Good Practices and Innovations in Public Governance 2003-2011

Good Practices and InnovATIONS in Public Governance
South African Police Service, South Africa
Winner of a United Nations Public Service Award 2004 in the category “Innovations
in the Public Service”, the South African authorities decided in July 1999 to make the
public service more efficient and to make the delivery of services, especially in rural
communities, faster.
The general weakness of policing in the Northern Province (comprised of 89% rural
area) were overcome thanks to the introduction of a service delivery program based
on innovative strategies: “to do more with less”, to improve Police visibility, to ensure
equal access to justice for all and to forge partnerships.
Implementing this program was not isolated from other fundamental changes within
the public service. Improving service delivery called for a shift away from inwardlooking,
bureaucratic systems, processes and attitudes. New ways of working, which
placed the public at the centre of public administration processes, enabled a better
and faster response to citizens’ needs. The objectives of service delivery included
welfare, equity and efficiency.
Since receiving the UNPSA, the South African Police Service remained innovative
and promoted creative solutions in fighting crime. Inspired by their successful practice,
the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Labour have built Mobile
Units for rural areas. This innovation has been featured in local newspapers and
has been broadcasted on national networks, and won the Impumelelo Platinum
Award, South African Chamber of Commerce Limpopo region Award for Public Sector
and Centre for Public Service Innovation-Standard Bank Award.
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