Effective service delivery: A leadership challenge for policing

In this contemporary era of personnel management little emphasis needs to be placed on organisational performance, but rather what actions requires better performance. This paper reflects why efficient service delivery provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS) is lacking despite a legislative and policy framework promoting improved service delivery. It further deliberates on the role of the SAPS leadership to optimize service delivery and dwells on SAPS leadership competencies in order to move beyond mere policy on paper to render sound service to the public. An overview of performance management and leadership in public sector organizations indicates that visionary ability and skills of leadership to convert policy into practice are fundamental for service delivery to succeed. As a result, a direct link between leadership and performance management can be supported.