Independent Complaints Directorate
Encyclopedia
The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) is an agency of the South Africa
n government
responsible for investigating complaints against the South African Police Service
and municipal police
services.
The ICD was created in April 1997 as part of the post-apartheid reform of the South African Police
. It investigates deaths in custody
, crimes allegedly committed by police officers, violations of SAPS policy, and dissatisfaction with the service provided by the police.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n government
Government of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a nearly unique system that combines aspects of parliamentary and presidential systems. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa...
responsible for investigating complaints against the South African Police Service
South African Police Service
The South African Police Service is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1116 police stations in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a Provincial Commissioner is appointed in each province...
and municipal police
Municipal police
.Municipal police are law enforcement agencies that are under the control of local government, including the municipal government, where it is the smallest administrative subdivision. They receive pay from the city budget, and usually have fewer rights than the "state paid" police...
services.
The ICD was created in April 1997 as part of the post-apartheid reform of the South African Police
South African Police
The South African Police was the country's police force until 1994. The SAP traced its origin to the Dutch Watch, a paramilitary organization formed by settlers in the Cape in 1655, initially to protect civilians against attack and later to maintain law and order...
. It investigates deaths in custody
Deaths in custody
Death in custody is when a person dies when in the custody of the police, prison service or other authorities. Death in custody remains a controversial subject, with the authorities often being accused of abuse, neglect, racism and cover-ups of the causes of these deaths...
, crimes allegedly committed by police officers, violations of SAPS policy, and dissatisfaction with the service provided by the police.