Eric Pelser is a senior researcher at the Crime and Justice Programme of the ISS. Before joining the Institute in October 1999, Eric worked in the Department of Safety and Security, first in the new South African Police Service and then, for the next three years, in the Policy Planning Division of the National Secretariat for Safety and Security. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Africa and a Master's degree in Public and Development Management from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Johann Schnetler (BA Hons (Philosophy), Mth) is the head of the Research Section within the Strategic Management Component of the South African Police Service. He is responsible, among others, for the co-ordinating and facilitating of all research in the SAPS, the compilation of a National Strategic Plan and the evaluation of services.

Antoinette Louw is head of the Crime and Justice Programme at the ISS. She has been researching crime, violence and criminal justice in South Africa since 1991 when she joined the Centre for Social and Development Studies at the University of Natal. Since 1997 when she joined the ISS, her work in the policy research field has covered victimisation surveys, crime prevention policy and practice, policing, and public perceptions of justice and safety. Antoinette has an MA in political studies from the University of Natal.