Amid all the political heat generated by the Farlam Commission report, key recommendations on the demilitarisation of the SAPS and calls for an overhaul of its crowd-control protocols are generating precious little public debate. This is a great pity because, without a dramatic shake-up of public-order policing, the terrible events of August 16 2012 could be repeated in any one of the myriad service protests that have become commonplace.In the first four months of this year, for example, Municipal IQ recorded 48 major service protests - including several that turned violent and destructive - against local authorities. There is no reason to believe that there will be a let-up in demonstrations, particularly as next year's local government elections draw nearer.The police cannot be expected to deal with the grievances of such protesters - deep-seated socioeconomic issues and official failings are invariably to blame - but the men and women in blue often find themselves at the sharp end when tempers flare.This is where Judge Ian Farlam's recommendations, notably on the demilitarisation of the police and their professionalisation in line with the guidelines of the National Planning Commission, are so important.A modern, expertly trained and professional police service, whose members are schooled in the use of non-lethal force in dealing with protesters, is absolutely critical if further blood-letting is to be avoided.The old-school military-style police rank structure reintroduced under President Jacob Zuma's watch has no place in a democracy.And assault rifles and other automatic weapons are not appropriate for dealing with demonstrators, however violent or unlawful.Internationally there are a plethora of examples of well-drilled police officers dealing effectively with unruly and violent crowds. We need to learn from them...