Police Trainee

About the role

The South African Police Service is hiring a Police Trainee (national post). This is a contract post, paying R5,000 a month. How to apply: NB: To apply online, please visit the South African Police Service website on: https://www.saps.gov.za and click on the link or scan the QR code provided. The step-by-step guide to apply for utilizing the SAPS electronic recruitment system are as follows: ✓ Register your account on the SAPS site; ✓ Enter your profile details through the Profile User page; ✓ Log into your account; ✓ On the home page, browse to the SAPS vacancy page link; ✓ Locate and select the job you want to apply for (i.e. TRA26/27); ✓ Enter personal details through the multi steps application process and submit your application. Reference number to quote: TRA26/27 Closing date: 13 November 2026 Apply online on the SAPS e-Recruitment portal (erecruitment.saps.gov.za).

Responsibilities

• 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
• Uphold and enforce the law.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.