Although the South African Police Service (SAPS) is tasked with preventing crime and enforcing the law in South Africa, various other agencies also render assistance with crime prevention and law enforcement functions, notably traffic officers, metro police members and municipal law enforcement officers. These non-SAPS law enforcers operate primarily at the local and provincial government levels, and their services have become indispensable in the effort to fight crime. Legislation declares certain non-SAPS law enforcers to be peace officers and bestows on them various specific powers and duties that are akin to policing functions, such as the authority to regulate road traffic, the duty to prevent crime, the power to arrest, and the power to enforce municipal by-laws.

Applied Law for Law Enforcement: Traffic, Municipal Police and Law Enforcement Officers is based on the successful publication Applied Law for Police Officials. The book’s specific purpose is to equip traffic officers, metro police members and municipal law enforcement officers with the relevant legal knowledge to perform their unique duties and functions with efficiency and confidence. Applied Law for Law Enforcement Officials will enable non-SAPS law enforcers to make a positive impact on society and will enhance their contribution to the safety and security of the people of South Africa.

The book will be of value to traffic policing agencies, municipal and metropolitan policing agencies, municipal officials tasked with law enforcement, metro police and traffic training institutions, academic institutions and judicial officials.

Key Features 

This book is based on the successful publication Applied Law for Police Officials. The book’s specific purpose is to equip traffic officers, metro police members and municipal law enforcement officers with the relevant legal knowledge to perform their unique duties and functions with efficiency and confidence. 

CHAPTER 1: Introduction to South African law and criminal prosecution

CHAPTER 2: Powers and responsibilities of law enforcers

CHAPTER 3: General elements of an offence

CHAPTER 4: Inchoate crimes, participation and special forms of liability

CHAPTER 5: Crimes endangering the constitutional structures, economy and administration of justice

CHAPTER 6: Crimes against the person

CHAPTER 7: Property crimes

CHAPTER 8: Crimes against the community

CHAPTER 9: Road traffic offences and legislation enforceable by the metro police

CHAPTER 10: By-laws and offences enforced by municipal law enforcement officers

CHAPTER 11: Crime prevention and an overview of the criminal justice process

CHAPTER 12: Evidence obtained from questioning

CHAPTER 13: Arrest, detention and the use of force

CHAPTER 14: Methods of obtaining evidence

CHAPTER 15: The law of evidence: An introduction