The South African Police Service (SAPS) provides various career opportunities to qualifying and interested individuals, either as Police Officials or Civilian employees. Police Officials of the SAPS workforce are employed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995) while Civilian employees are employed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act No 103 of 1994).
Where To Find SAPS Vacancies
SAPS has open vacancies in various fields. Their available vacancies are advertised on the official SAPS website under ‘careers’, in newspapers and, at SA Gov Jobs. They have divided their job posts into 5 categories namely, Senior Management, Police Act, Public Service Act, Police Trainee, and Internship Programme.
Under each category, the open vacancies are clearly listed with the requirements and the application form to be used when applying is also available to download under each category.
Requirements for Joining the Police
To join the police force as a police officer you do not need to have a degree or a diploma but a matric certificate with the compulsory languages and mathematics or mathematical literacy.
In order to join the police force, individuals must adhere to the following requirements:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid driver’s license.
- With no criminal record.
- Able to communicate in English and another South African official language.
- Be in possession of a Matric certificate.
- Be prepared to take an oath of office and also to undergo a psychological assessment and training.
- Allow fingerprints to be taken.
- Prepared to have a background check.
- Prepared to serve anywhere in South Africa.
To excel in this role, you will need to be a quick thinker with good communication skills. Being fit (physically and mentally) is mandatory.
Where to Apply to Become a Police Officer at SAPS
As mentioned above, all SAPS vacancies are advertised on the SAPS website, this also includes Police Trainee vacancies which are advertised throughput the year.
When applying for a post at SAPS, you will be required to download the application form released on the SAPS website and obtainable from your nearest SAPS office.
After downloading the application form, you will be required to fill it out, truthfully and honestly. Submissions of the application form can be made at different locations based on where you are based, you can approach your nearest SAPS police station for more information.
Police are expected to undergo the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) upon becoming successful candidates. A memorandum of Agreement is entered into between SAPS and the police recruit candidate for a contract period of 2 years. The recruit will be a police trainee and will undergo the Basic Police Development Learning Programme.
The 24 months will be broken down as follows:
Phase 1
- Duration: 10 months
- Location: SAPS Academy (Around the country either in Bishop Lavis, Wentworth, Pretoria or, Hammanskraal)
- Duties: Training
- Remuneration: About R3 1750,00 per month (Meals, Accommodation, Medical aid (POLMED – lower plan membership) included, pension fund excluded)
Phase 2 and 3:
- Duration:12 months.
- Location: SAPS workplace.
- Duties: Workplace station duties and integrated assignment at Academy.
- Remuneration: R7 2750,00 per month (Medical aid (POLMED – lower or higher plan membership), pension fund, and all benefits included).
- Once training has been completed, individuals will receive a permanent appointment with a package of about R10 307.00 per month and all benefits made available to SAPS officials according to the SAPS Act.
Police Force Roles and Responsibilities
Before you apply for a Police job let it be clear that as a Police Officer, you will be in the hands of the judicial system, which means you will be entrusted with preventing, investigating, and combating crime in society. You should expect to be called in to deal with volatile and dangerous circumstances, and you should expect to actively look for possible areas of danger and put out flames before they become fires.
You will be in situations such as murder scenes, drug busts, robberies, and civilian incidents. You may find yourself in situations where you must risk your life. Physical fights are unavoidable, and you may have to shoot someone in some cases.
Internships Available at SAPS
Currently, SAPS has internship vacancies: SASSETA Graduate Internship Programme, a 12 months workplace integrated learning internship open to all unemployed graduates who conform to the requirements. The closing date for all applications is the 30th of September 2022.
You may use the following application form available on the website to apply and submit the required documentation and your latest updated CV to the relevant address.
