In 1994 the Policing Research Project together with other NGO's, was contracted by the Department of Safety and Security to be instrumental in the setting up of Community Policing Forums (CPF's) at every Police station, as prescribed by the new Constitution and reiterated in the draft Police Act. The concept of community policing was part of the overall reform of the South African Police Service, informed by the need to change its role to a police service that is professional and fulfils the policing needs of all people in a democratic context. The objectives of community policing included the partnership between police and communities, accountability of the police, alignment of the values of the police with those of the new democratic South Africa, as well as internal organisational change within the police. The Gauteng Community Policing project was a joint IDASA and CSVR initiative, facilitating the setting up of Community Police Forums in the whole of Gauteng and to make policy recommendations on community policing and police reform. In 1997 the CSVR, in partnership with various organisations, was tendering for the Capacity building of Community Police Forums in Gauteng, after it had become apparent in 1995 that CPFs were not functioning as originally envisaged. There needed to be a range of skills training amongst CPF members and to broaden the understanding of community policing and the role of CPFs.