Monitoring and Evaluation of Training Programmes in the South African Police Service: Case Study of the Northern Cape Province

Abstract

The objective of the article is to determine the outcomes of T&D programmes offered by the Division Training and development. This article adopted a qualitative research methodology to validate the research question and authenticate the problem statement. In the main, secondly , this article intended to establish whether there is a significant effect or impact on the performance of trainees and in their workplace that can be linked to the training conducted by the Division Training and Development. Thus , the article can thus be viewed as the outcome or impact determination factor through the lenses of the M&E practitioner. The research focused largely on post-training M&E mechanisms to determine the outcome of training conducted, and in the study the term “impact assessment” was predominantly used as most participants were familiar with the term as compared to “outcomes assessment”. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology to validate the research question and authenticate the problem statement. This study used qualitative research procedures which consist of a set of interpretative, material tests that make the thought-world visible and therefore measurable. Qualitative research includes field notes, conversations, recorded interviews, photographs and memos, amongst others. It involves an interpretative, representational approach to ordering the world. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, “attempting to make sense of, or interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them”. This article makes actionable recommendations , emanating from the research findings. Training is a strategic mechanism used for the achievement and deliverance of efficient and proficient public security. It is also used as a measure to observe the performance of the organisation, whereby fully trained and skilled employees will be capable of returning to the workplace providing optimal service in a safe and well-organised manner.