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Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure cultivates culture of safety

29 April 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied

Protection Services Crime and Incident Investigation Proceedure — The UFS Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure is committed to maintaining campus safety.

In alignment to its strategic Vision 130 of fostering a safe and secure environment for all staff and students, the University of the Free State (UFS) introduced a robust Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure. This initiative underscores the institution's commitment to upholding its values of integrity, accountability, and excellence, while ensuring the well-being of its diverse community.

Jacobus van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director at Protection Services, highlighted the importance of this procedural framework, stating: “Our aim is to establish a culture of safety and accountability within the university community. By implementing this procedure, we are reaffirming our dedication to prompt and thorough investigations of all reported incidents.”

Comprehensive coverage and scope

The Procedure encompasses all UFS students, staff members, visitors, contractors, and service providers across multiple campuses and satellite sites. It addresses incidents occurring both on-campus and off-campus if they affect the university’s reputation or assets.

Ethical and professional investigations

All investigations are conducted with professionalism, impartiality, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is upheld, respecting the rights and freedoms of all individuals involved.

Students, staff members, and other stakeholders are obligated to familiarise themselves with the Procedure, promptly report incidents, cooperate with investigators, and comply with university policies and codes of conduct.

Inclusive and collaborative approach

The Procedure emphasises the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that investigative processes accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities. It also highlights the establishment of interdepartmental service level agreements to facilitate collaboration and information-sharing among relevant departments.

Continuous improvement and monitoring

The UFS will monitor reported incidents through regular updates and crime overviews. Additionally, ongoing evaluation and refinement of the Procedure will be based on crime statistics, security risk assessments, and best practices in investigative management.

In conclusion, the implementation of the Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure represents a significant step forward in the UFS’s ongoing efforts to create a safe, supportive, and conducive environment for learning, teaching, and research. Through proactive measures and steadfast adherence to principles of integrity and accountability, the university reaffirms its commitment to excellence in all aspects of university life.

Report crime

Bloemfontein Campus Protection Services: +27 51 401 2911 or +27 51 401 2634

South Campus Protection Services: +27 51 505 1217

Qwaqwa Campus Protection Services: +27 58 718 5460 or +27 58 718 5175

Click here to download the Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure booklet and watch the video below.

News Archive

DiMTEC hosts second conference on disaster risk reduction

2009-06-02

Dr Anthony Turton, the Director: TouchStone Resources (Pty) Ltd. delivered the opening address at this year’s two-day annual international conference on disaster risk reduction that was presented by the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at the University of the Free State (UFS).

In his presentation: Sitting on the horns of a dilemma: South Africa and its strategic water supply, he said: “We have simply reached the limit of the water resources in South Africa. On the one hand, we deal with the quantity dilemma in terms of strategic water storage. South Africa and Zimbabwe counts under the top 20 countries in the world in terms of dams built. We can only build about ten more dams.”

“On the other hand, we must deal with quantity. Previous solutions are not future solutions. When water is recycled, hormones such as oestrogen do not disappear. We must become creative and do something else,” he said.

“Science can make a difference. The UFS is well placed in terms of its groundwater research. Universities must invest in the necessary technology because the testing of toxins is essential. We must work in ways to prevent toxins from re-entering the water cycle,” he said.

A number of international speakers such as Dr Fabrice Renaud, Associate Director at the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) in Bonn, Germany, Dr Eugene Poolman, Chief Forecaster: Disaster Risk Reduction, South African Weather Service, and Prof. Rob Bragg from the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the UFS, attended the conference, as well as attendees from 11 different countries.

At the conference were, from the left: Mr Andries Jordaan, Director: DiMTEC at the UFS; Dr Ing Jörn Birkmann, Head of Section: Vulnerability Assessment at the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS); Dr Anthony Turton, Director: TouchStone Resources (Pty) Ltd.; and Dr Fabrice Renaud, Associate Director: UNU-EHS.
Photo: Supplied

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