The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation says urgent steps are needed to examine the police's use of lethal force.
It comes after three-year-old Atlegang Phalane was killed, allegedly by a police officer, near Midrand at the weekend.
Police were chasing a suspected murderer's car when the child was shot.
The centre says shoot to kill comments made by National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele and several politicians may be to blame for that and other similar incidents.
The body's Adele Kirsten has called on officials to clarify their comments.
"We cannot look at the shooting [of Atlegang Phalane] as an isolated incident; there is a lack of clarity on the side of police officers on when and how they may use lethal force," says Kirsten.
Meanwhile, investigations are underway into a shooting in which an Erasmia security guard was wounded by police officers.
The guard was responding to a burglary in the area on Monday night.
When police officers arrived on the scene, they shot in the guard's direction.
Xcentric Protection Services' Irene Wood said her employee's lif was comprised.
"You need to make 100% sure that they are the criminals you are looking for and not security staff. You cannot just randomly shoot with an R5," said Wood.
CSVR is a multi-disciplinary institute that seeks to understand and prevent violence, heal its effects and build sustainable peace at the community, national and regional levels.
