Civilian Secretariat for Police Service
CSPS
Summary
The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service is established under s 208 of the Constitution and the CSPS Act 2 of 2011. The Secretary for Police is appointed by and serves at the direction of the Minister of Police. The Secretariat monitors SAPS performance, advises the Minister on policy, monitors compliance with the Domestic Violence Act, and provides oversight by preparing civilian scrutiny reports. It does not investigate individual complaints independently and has no subpoena power; it monitors and reports rather than adjudicates. Discipline recommendations to the Minister are advisory. Secretariat staff are civilian public servants — the body itself constitutes a civilian oversight structure under the Minister's direction.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Executive appointment |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | Executive review |
Statute
- Name
- Civilian Secretariat for Police Service Act
- Citation
- Act 2 of 2011
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
South African Police Service (SAPS); provides civilian oversight, policy advice, and monitoring of SAPS performance and compliance for the Minister of Police; no investigative mandate over individual complaints