SAPS: Police Traineeship Programme 2027

Closing Date: 13 November 2026

The South African Police Service is recruiting for entry level Police Trainees and invites applications from all races and gender, i.e. from young, energetic, intelligent, physically and mentally fit individuals, dedicated to serving their country by pursuing a career in Policing.

The enlistment details are as follows:

• Post title: Police Trainee
• Reference: TRA26/27
• Act of Appointment: SAPS Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995)
• Remuneration during training: Stipend of R5000 per month (with applicable benefits).
• On successful completion of Basic Training: (Constable) R248 175 per annum.
• NOTE: Applicants in possession of a three (3) year National Diploma / Degree recorded on the
• National Learner Record Database (NLRD) on at least a NQF 6 or higher level in Law / Policing /
• Criminology / Law Enforcement / Forensic Investigation / IT, Computer Science, Natural Science,
• Accounting Science will be considered for placement in the following units: Directorate for Priority
• Crime Investigation (DPCI)/ Detective and Forensic Service / Crime Intelligence (CI).

Induction Phase

• One (1) month at a designated police station.
• Basic Police Development Learning Programme/ Introductory Police Development Learning Programme:
• Successful candidates will undergo such training as, where and when determined by the National Commissioner, at any SAPS Training Academy in South Africa.
• Probation period:
  • After successful completion the Basic Training Phase, the police trainee shall be appointed as a member of the Service under probation for a period of 12 months

During the Basic Training Phase, the SAPS shall provide free training gear, meals and
accommodation to the police trainee.
Trainees will receive medical aid benefits for the duration Basic Police Development Learning
Programme/ Introductory Police Development Learning Programme.
Upon successful completion of the Basic Training, the trainees will be considered for permanent
appointment as members of the SAPS on the rank of Constable.

Core Functions: Successful candidates will serve as functional police officials. As such, they
will be deployed to carry out the following functions:

• Prevent, combat and investigate crime;
• Maintain public order;
• Protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; and
• Uphold and enforce the law.

GENERIC REQUIREMENTS (SAPS Employment Amendment Regulations, 2023, 39(8)):

• A person who applies to be employed as an entry level police trainee must —
• Apply on the form determined by the National Commissioner and affirm under oath or by way of a solemn declaration that the particulars furnished in the application, are the truth and correct;
• Be a citizen of the Republic of South Africa of which documentary proof must be furnished;
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age and not older than thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of the closing date for applications stipulated in the relevant advertisement, of which documentary proof must be furnished;
• Submit himself or herself to a physical and medical examination as determined by the National
• Commissioner and must be found to be physically, medically and mentally fit for appointment in the service;
• Undergo a psychological and integrity assessment as determined by the National Commissioner
• and be found to comply with the profile of a police official;
• Be in possession of a grade 12 school certificate or equivalent qualification of which documentary proof must be furnished;
• Be proficient in at least English and one other official language;
• Be prepared to take the oath of office;
• Be prepared to undergo such training as, where and when determined by the National
• Commissioner;
• Not have any tattoo marks which will be visible when wearing any uniform of the Service;
• Not have been declared unfit to possess a firearm;
• Not have any previous criminal convictions or any pending criminal cases;
• Not have been dismissed for serious misconduct from the employ of a previous employer, where such dismissal relates to any act of dishonesty or violence; sexual harassment or is drug related;
• Allow a buccal sample and his or her fingerprints to be taken and verified against the criminal record system;
• Allow background enquiries to be made;
• Be prepared to undergo security vetting and obtain the level of security clearance determined by the National Commissioner; and
• Be prepared to serve anywhere in the Republic

**NOTE THAT PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH A VALID DRIVER’S
LICENSE FOR AT LEAST A LIGHT MOTOR VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING
QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants in possession of a relevant three (3) years tertiary qualification (NQF 6 or higher) i.e. Criminal Law / Policing / Forensic investigation etc.;
• Applicants in possession of other three (3) years tertiary qualification (NQF 6 or higher;
• Applicants in possession of Grade 12 school certificate with the minimum requirements for admission to bachelor’s degree;
• All applicants will be subjected to a fitness, psychometric and integrity testing as well as medical evaluation and will be interviewed during the recruitment, selection and enlistment process. The SAPS will also verify the qualifications, drivers’ licence, where applicable, citizenship and residential address of each applicant.
• Applicants will be subjected to a vetting process which will include security screening, reference checking, social media presence and fingerprint verification to establish whether any illicit activity has been recorded or is pending against candidates.
• Applicants who previously served in a Government Department and who were dismissed because of misconduct will not be considered for appointment in the South African Police Service (SAPS).
• In view of the physical demands of the Basic Police Development Learning Programme, applicants with chronic diseases, physical impairments or any other health condition that may lead to interruption of the training programme, may be excluded from participation in the programme. Should applicants fail to disclose any health condition it may result in their withdrawal from the programme on the determination thereof