SAPS TRAINEES – R4 500 pm.
South African Police Service (SAPS) for Vacancies for Entry Level Police Trainees: 2025/2026.
Here’s a summary of the key information:
Purpose:
The SAPS is recruiting entry-level Police Trainees from all races and genders who are young, energetic, intelligent, physically and mentally fit individuals, dedicated to serving their country by pursuing a career in Policing.
Enlistment Details:
* Post title: Police Trainee
* Reference: TRAINEE2025/2026
* Act of Appointment: SAPS Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995)
* Remuneration during training: Stipend of R4500 per month (with applicable benefits)
* On successful completion of Basic Training: (Constable) R238 629 per annum
Note for Applicants:
Applicants must possess a three (3) year National Diploma / Degree recorded on the National Learner Record Database (NLRD) on at least an NQF 6 or higher level in:
* Law
* Policing
* Criminology
* Law Enforcement
* Forensic Investigation
* IT (Information Technology)
These qualifications will be considered for placement in the following units:
* Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCIJ)
* Detective and Forensic Service
* Crime Intelligence (CI)
Period of Training:
* Successful candidates will undergo such training as, where and when determined by the National Commissioner, at any SAPS Training Academy in South Africa.
* During the Basic Training Phase, SAPS will provide free training gear, meals and accommodation to the police trainee.
* Trainees will receive medical aid benefits for the duration of the 21-month Basic Police Development Learning Program.
* 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 of Successful Candidates (as functional police officials):
* Prevent, combat and investigate crime.
* Maintain public order.
* Protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property.
* Uphold and enforce the law.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (SAPS Employment Amendment Regulations, 2023, 39(8)):
This section lists the fundamental criteria an applicant must meet to be considered for the police trainee position.
* Applicant Status:
* Must be 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 true and correct.
* Must be a citizen of the Republic of South Africa.
* Age:
* Must 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.
* Physical and Mental Fitness:
* Must submit himself or herself to a physical and medical examination as determined by the National Commissioner and be found to be physically, medically, and mentally fit for appointment in the Service.
* Must undergo a psychological and integrity assessment as determined by the National Commissioner and be found to comply with the profile of a police official.
* Education:
* Must be in possession of a Grade 12 school certificate or equivalent qualification, of which documentary proof must be furnished.
* Language:
* Must be proficient in at least English and one other official language.
* Oath:
* Must be prepared to take the oath of office.
* Training Commitment:
* Must be prepared to undergo such training as, where, and when determined by the National Commissioner.
* Appearance (Tattoos):
* Must not have any tattoo marks which will be visible when wearing any uniform of the Service.
* Criminal Record/Behavior:
* Must not have been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
* Must not have any previous criminal convictions or any pending criminal cases.
* Must 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.
* Biometrics and Background Checks:
* Must allow a buccal sample and his or her fingerprints to be taken and verified against the criminal record system.
* Must allow background inquiries to be made.
* Must be prepared to undergo security vetting and obtain the level of security clearance determined by the National Commissioner.
* Deployment:
* Must be prepared to serve anywhere in the Republic.
SELECTION PROCESS:
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:
* Preferred Qualifications:
* Applicants in possession of a relevant three (3) years tertiary qualification (NQF 6 or higher), specifically in Law / Policing / Criminology / Forensic Investigation, etc. (This aligns with the previous document’s preferred qualifications for specific units).
* 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.
* Applicants in possession of Grade 12 school certificate with the minimum requirements for admission to Diploma.
* Applicants in possession of Grade 12 school certificate with the minimum requirements for admission to Higher Certificate study.
* Assessment and Verification Steps:
* 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’ license, 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.
STEPS ON HOW TO APPLY ONLINE
GENERAL INFORMATION:
* Application Method: To apply online, applicants must visit the South African Police Service website: https://www.saps.gov.za and click on “Careers link”.
* Step-by-Step Guide for Online Application:
* 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. TRAINEE2025/2026).
* Enter personal details through the multi-steps application process and submit your application.
REQUIREMENTS
* Physical Assessment Requirements:
* Applicants must submit themselves to a fitness assessment.
* To be able to undergo the fitness assessment, applicants should comply with the following requirements:
* Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 30.
* Waist circumference: ≤ 102 cm (males) and ≤ 90 cm (females).
* Personal Interview:
* If an applicant is short-listed, they can be expected to undergo a personal interview.
* Criminal Records and Disqualification:
* Short-listed applicants for appointment may be vetted in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offenses and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007) and the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No 38 of 2005).
* A candidate whose particulars appear on either the National Register for Sex Offenders or Part B of the Child Protection Register, will be disqualified from appointment.
* Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act, 2013:
* This Act requires that all new appointments in the South African Police Service from 31st of January 2015 provide a buccal (inside cheek) sample in order to determine their forensic DNA profile.
* The forensic DNA profile derived from the sample will be loaded to the Elimination Index of the National Forensic DNA Database.
* Previous Employment in Public Administration:
* Applicants to take note that Section 8 of the Public Administration Management Act of 2014 and the Public Service Regulations, 2016 prohibits employees from doing business with the State.
* Should the applicant have a company doing business with the State, whether they deregister the business from the Central Supplier Database (CSD) of State organs or relinquish the Directorship from the said business, either prior to enlistment as an entry level Police Trainee, or within one month after being enlisted in the SAPS.
* Non-adherence will lead to the termination of the Memorandum of Agreement entered with the South African Police Service.
* Remunerative Work / Conflict of Interest:
* Applicants to take note that remunerative work such as within the taxi, liquor and security industries, etc., are prohibited in the South African Police Service in terms of Chapter 4 of National Instruction 18 of 2019: Integrity Management.
* Authorization for Remunerative Work outside Public Service:
* Applicants performing other remunerative work outside the Public Service will be required to apply for authorisation within the first month of entering into the Memorandum of Agreement and non-adherence to the mentioned National Instruction may lead to termination of the Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the South African Police Service.
* Contact with Unsuccessful Applicants:
* Correspondence will be conducted with successful applicants only. If an applicant has not been contacted within 3 months after the closing date of this advertisement, it should be accepted that such applicant was unsuccessful in his or her application.
* Number of Posts:
* Applicants accept that a limited number of posts is available and being subjected to the selection processes is not a guarantee for appointment.
* Application Limit:
* Applicants should note that they are limited to one application. The system is restricted and will only accept one application.
* Appointment Discretion:
* The South African Police Service is under no obligation to appoint any person who applied for appointment / enlistment.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
* Closing Date:
* The closing date is 18 JULY 2025.
The document is signed by LIEUTENANT GENERAL N.K. MOTHA, ACTING DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SUPPORT SERVICES, with a date that appears to be 2025-06-25.
