Municipal Police: New Crowd Management and Arrest Standards Gazetted

Posted 20 June 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Safety and Security

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Police has published new standards for municipal police services regarding crowd management and the arrest and treatment of persons. These standards repeal all previous iterations and establish a revised regulatory framework for municipal law enforcement conduct.

In terms of the South African Police Service Act, No. 68 of 1995, the Minister of Police has gazetted two sets of municipal policing standards. These regulations follow the draft versions released for public comment in May 2024 and are intended to standardise operations across all municipal police departments in South Africa.

Crowd Management Standards

The standards for crowd management focus on the constitutional right to assemble and the obligation of the police to maintain order while respecting human rights. Key areas addressed include:

  • Operational planning and risk assessment for public gatherings.
  • Command and control protocols to ensure clear lines of authority.
  • Proportional use of force and the specific equipment permitted for crowd control.
  • Mandatory debriefing and reporting requirements following any public order incident.

Arrest and Treatment of Persons

The second set of standards governs the procedural aspects of detaining individuals. These standards ensure that municipal police actions align with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, specifically regarding:

  • The legal requirements for effecting a lawful arrest.
  • The immediate rights of the arrested person, including the right to remain silent and access to legal representation.
  • The physical treatment and safety of persons while in the custody of municipal police.
  • Administrative requirements for the completion of dockets and custody registers.

Click here to view the official gazetted standards.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; professional awareness is required for those providing legal counsel to local government or representing clients in civil claims against the state.
  • For your business: Law firms and compliance consultancies must update their internal databases to reflect the repeal of previous municipal policing standards to ensure accurate advice on police liability.
  • For your clients: Municipalities and Metropolitan Police Departments must immediately audit their operational manuals and training programmes to ensure full compliance with the new standards to avoid litigation and administrative penalties.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/municipal-police-new-crowd-management-arrest-standards-gazetted

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