Abstract
States have always used their law enforcement and security organs to ensure that communities are peaceful, liveable and tranquil. These include the police services such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), which serves the same function in the local contexts. In pursuing its mandate, the SAPS uses both preventative and curative strategies to establish peace and calm in communities and these are ensured through various policy and statutory prescriptions that include the Constitution and the Code of Conduct. The study uses Adam Smith’s theory of Moral Sentiments to unpack and assess unethical conduct within the SAPS. Using the qualitative methodological approach, which is hinged on an interpretivist research philosophy, the study gathered data from written documents. The gathered data was analysed using content and thematic analysis techniques. The study established that the upholding of ethical and professional conduct by police officers within the crime prevention mandate of the SAPS remains problematic. Challenges such as inter alia, police corruption, bribery, illegal protections, extortion, among others and laid bare how these have dented the SAPS’ image as well as community safety. The study thus makes various recommendations including a professionalised recruitment processes for the SAPS.