PPNHW Constitution (Click here to download)
PPNHW Code Of Conduct
1st Draft Protocol / Code of Conduct.
INDEX
1. Aims and Objectives
2. Indemnity
3. Liability
4. Accountability
5. Functions
6. Identity Cards
7. Conduct
8. Conduct and Patrol Procedure
9. Working with NAMPOL/City Police
1. Aims and Objectives:
• To nurture a sense of unity, dedication and good neighbourly relations among the residents of Pioneerspark.
• To assist the local police to safeguard the community against criminal activities and strive for a safe and secure environment.
• To provide a channel through which local communities can play a meaningful role in crime prevention in a manner that is ethical and non-violent.
• To create public awareness with regard to safety, crime prevention and protection of families and their property.
• To encourage the community to work in close co-operation with the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) and other structures such as local authorities who are involved in law enforcement.
• To unite a diverse residency in creating a stable and crime free environment.
2. Indemnity:
• PPNHW is not a legal person and functions within the guidelines provided by Khomas Region Community Affairs office and NAMPOL.
• An acknowledgement to this effect must be signed by all members of PPNHW clearly indemnifying the Neighbourhood Watch Structure.
• The acknowledgement must clearly state that PPNHW is a voluntary association.
• Each member of PPNHW shall sign an indemnity to be given to the PPNHW commitee before taking part in any patrol on behalf of PPNHW.
3. Liability:
• PPNHW is not a legal person and as such does not have powers of whatever nature which might be in law to act or be acted upon.
• All individual members act in their own capacity as individuals and liability will be in that capacity.
• PPNHW will not be responsible for civil and or criminal actions or omissions that are perpetrated by a member of PPNHW nor responsible for civil and or criminal actions or omissions against its members.
• All and any criminal and civil actions that are instituted against a member of PPNHW will be against the member concerned and not PPNHW.
• Any damage or injury to any member of PPNHW or his or her property when such member is acting as a member of PPNHW in whatsoever capacity shall, subject to claims against third parties, be the sole and absolute responsibility of the member.
• PPNHW carries no insurances whatsoever for members or their families or dependants.
• Members of PPNHW must take all such steps as they choose to establish their own legal position as to their personal/ accident/medical or vehicle insurances and assurances.
4. Accountability:
• PPNHW will be accountable to NAMPOL in the first instance.
• Each member of PPNHW shall give to his or her Chair Person a written report of all incidents during any patrol or similar duty within 24 hours of completion of such patrol or similar action on behalf of PPNHW.
• The form of written report is attached to this protocol and a blank form will be given to or available to each member before the member embarks upon any patrol.
• If NAMPOL reasonably require a statement to be made earlier than the time referred to above, the member of PPNHW and the Chair person shall comply with such request.
5. Functions:
• PPNHW must assist NAMPOL and City Police in crime prevention in the Pioneerspark area.
• PPNHW will adopt and support the social crime prevention policy of NAMPOL.
• PPNHW must operate within the framework of the law. Only minimum force may be used to secure an arrest as defined in Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977.
• PPNHW members will have powers similar to that of any other citizen to perform a citizen’s arrest and the requirements set out in the Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977 will be adhered to and complied with at all times.
• Members of PPNHW have the same rights as any member of the public to arrest a perpetrator of an offence or of any person reasonably suspected of being about to commit an offence.
6. Identity Cards:
• All members of PPNHW will have identity cards and must carry these cards at all times when on patrol on behalf of PPNHW.
• The identity cards of members must contain a recent photograph of the member, his or her full names and the Chair Person’s signature.
• All identity cards shall be validated annually
• Any member losing his or her identity card shall forthwith report such loss to the Chair Person.
• Only members of PPNHW as defined in the constitution may go on any patrol.
• No person under the age of eighteen years shall be a member of PPNHW.
7. Conduct:
• All members of PPNHW must at all times act in a non-violent manner. No member may take the law into his or her own hands irrespective of circumstances.
• No member of PPNHW will display racism, sexism or any other form of discrimination towards any other member and any other person.
• No member shall carry any weapon perceived to be dangerous that could inflict serious bodily harm or damage to property. This includes dangerous weapons as defined by law when patrolling. Only weapons for the sole purpose of self defence as approved by the Regional Commissioner from NAMPOL may be used.
• All members with firearms taken on any patrol shall declare these to the local NAMPOL Crime Prevention Officer before going on patrol.
• Should a member of PPNHW be found guilty of a criminal offence committed when the member is operating formally as a PPNHW member, PPNHW will take such disciplinary actions as are considered appropriate by the Committee and will issue a public statement regarding its action.
• Members of PPNHW shall not divulge any confidential or privileged information that they may have acquired as a result of their membership of PPNHW.
• No member of PPNHW may exploit his or her membership for personal advantage or benefit.
• Members of PPNHW must at all times act in a manner that will uphold and promote the aims and objectives of PPNHW.
8. Conduct and Patrol Procedure:
• Members of PPNHW are permitted to carry and use high intensity torches.
• Pepper spray or CS gas emitters and electric stun guns are permitted but may only be used in self defence when physical damage has been committed or is reasonably expected to be committed.
• Each member going on patrol must have at least one cell phone in each car or group of members on foot patrol.
• Members of PPNHW are not expected or required to confront any persons of any race creed or gender whether they are suspected of being about to commit a crime or having committed a crime. The duty of members on patrol is to report any suspicious person or vehicle in the neighbourhood. Members shall use their own discretion as to whether to drive around their allocated Zone or whether to remain stationary and in the latter instance whether or not to keep the vehicle’s engine running.
• The report shall be by cell phone to NAMPOL and it may be advisable to inform any other PPNHW vehicle on patrol.
• PPNHW members shall withdraw from any scene or incident forthwith upon any violence being used or threatened and shall not confront the perpetrators.
• NOTHING herein contained shall restrict the rights of any member as an individual to defend him or herself using reasonable force so to do if faced with a situation where the member or any other person on duty with such member is subjected to actual or reasonably anticipated violence.
• Any incident shall forthwith be recorded briefly in writing with detail of time; place; number of suspects or perpetrators; description of perpetrators by age, size and colour and clothing followed by a brief description of the incident.
• The detail of the incident must be formally recorded on the form referred to above. If a member of PPNHW discharges any firearm such further forms as required by NAMPOL must be completed.
• No member of PPNHW shall release any statement to any media on any matters concerning PPNHW unless the Chair Person has agreed the content of any statement. If approval is not given within seven days of submitting the proposed statement the member is at liberty to release such statement.
9. Working with NAMPOL:
• NAMPOL shall be obliged whenever possible to provide members, reservists or assist to arrange for members from other law enforcement agencies to supervise PPNHW when patrols are undertaken.
• PPNHW and NAMPOL must share information on matters pertaining to crime prevention and the apprehension of criminals.