What you need in matric
You must have
- Matric (Grade 12)
Also good to have
- English
- Life Orientation
- A driver's licence
- Physical fitness
Ways to become a police officer
The best way is first. If your marks are not enough for one way, try the next one down.
Join SAPS (recruitment and training)
To get in: Matric (Grade 12), SA citizen, aged 18 to under 30, No criminal record, medically and physically fit. No degree needed. You must pass selection: a fitness test, a medical, and psychometric tests, plus an interview.
You apply to SAPS when recruitment opens. You then do the Basic Police Development Learning Programme: 12 months at a SAPS academy and 12 months in the field. You earn a salary during training. You become a constable, and can rise through the ranks to sergeant, warrant officer, and higher.
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Join a Metro Police department
To get in: Matric (Grade 12), SA citizen, usually aged 18 to 35, Driver's licence often required. Cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Tshwane run their own metro police.
You apply to your city's metropolitan police department when they recruit, and you do their training programme. You become a metro police officer, focused on by-laws, traffic, and local safety.
SAPS intake closed? Metro police departments recruit separately, and traffic officer training is another route into law enforcement.
If you don’t get in yet
Did not get into the SAPS intake, or want another way into law enforcement? You have options.
Apply to metro police or traffic
Metro police (like JMPD) and traffic departments recruit separately. Traffic officer training is a shorter route into law enforcement.
Become a SAPS reservist
Reservists are trained volunteers who help the police. It is a way to get experience and show commitment before a full intake.
Get fit and reapply
Intakes are competitive. Get fit, get your driver's licence, keep a clean record, and apply again at the next intake.
Questions people ask
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