Police in South Africa, What is Possible? with Elrena van der Spuy @TheCopBlock

Uploaded September 2013 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

When in Cape Town, South Africa as part of the Police Accountability Tour we connected with Elrena van der Spuy, who's active with the Police and Criminal Justice Systems Reform program, housed at the University of Cape Town's Centre of Criminology.

As van der Spuy expounds, though a structure may look good on paper, it doesn't always take that shape in reality. What now is possible? What can be learned from the past and from elsewhere? How might a more widespread, bottom-up campaign of filming police activities play a role?

LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa
INTERVIEWEE: Elrena van der Spuy
MORE INFORMATION: copblock.org/police-south-africa-possible-elrena-van-der-spuy

THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY TOUR
online: CopBlock.org/Tour
video playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQKn6VyrLIpekRhC_sqm5xU2dCLiiJAzd
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SOUTH AFRICA POLICE SERVICE
http://saps.gov.za
twitter.com/SAPoliceService

ELRENA VAN DER SPUY
http://criminology.uct.ac.za/about/staff/evanderspuy

POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS REFORM PROGRAM
http://criminology.uct.ac.za/physical/police

Police in South Africa, What is Possible? with Elrena van der Spuy

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$Accountability at Skokie PD After Facial Fracture? UPDATE: On Nov 15th, 2013, less than two weeks after this video went live, Michael Hart resigned (rather than be fired). The 2013 Police Accountability Tour stops in Skokie, Illinois to followup on the case of Cassandra Feuerstein, who was seriously injured while in the custody of officer Michael Hart. In an incident that occurred on March 10 2013, Hart became upset that he was having difficulty photographing Feuerstein, and can be seen in a video released on October 9 grabbing and shoving her before leading her to a cell that she was forcibly thrown into. She landed face first into a concrete bench, resulting in facial fractures, a large open wound, and displaced teeth. Hart remained on regular police duties until the release of the video by Feuersteins attorney seven months later. He was then placed on desk duty, and following a groundswell of public outcry, criminal charges were finally filed against him on October 30, at which time he was placed on paid leave. While village officials cite both an internal and external investigation in progress, Hart is being prosecuted by a states attorney infamous for her partiality to police employees during disputes with the public. States attorney Anita Alvarez fought court battles as well as aiding in lobbying efforts to keep unconstitutional statutes on the books in Illinois that criminalize the videorecording of police. Hart is facing felony charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct. In this video, Pete and Garret speak with Terry Shiel of Skokie PD, Skokie village Administrative Secretary Carrie Haberstich, and Phyllis Kaplan of the Mayors office. Filmed in Skokie, Illinois on Monday, November 04 2013. Contact information: Skokie Police Department (847) 982-5900 Ann Tennes, Skokie village Director of Marketing and Communications (847) 933-8234 Scored with Pyotr Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture; Police Accountability Tour 2013 #PAtour2013 Sponsored by Amagi Metals http://amagimetals.com/$

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