The South African Police Service has launched a mass recruitment drive to fill 5 500 police trainee posts nationwide.

Since launching the drive on October 21, the SAPS eRecruitment portal has recorded over 300 000 profile registrations, with just over 49 000 applications received so far.

Aspiring police officers are encouraged to submit their applications before the November 13 deadline.

Successful applicants will be employed as entry-level police trainees and must comply with the following requirements:

• Be a South African citizen in possession of relevant documentation.
• Be between 18 and 35.
• Must be available to undergo physical and medical examinations as determined by the National Commissioner and must be found to be physically, medically and mentally fit for appointment in the service.
• Willing to 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 along with relevant documentation as proof.
• Be proficient in English and one other official South African language.
• Be prepared to take the oath of office.
• Be prepared to undergo training, where and when determined by the National Commissioner.
• Do not have visible tattoos which a service uniform cannot conceal.
• Have been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
• Do not have any previous criminal convictions or any pending criminal cases.
• Have not been dismissed for serious misconduct from previous employers, in relation to any act of dishonesty, violence, sexual harassment or drug-related matters.
• Allow a buccal sample as well as their 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 while being prepared to serve nationally.

Preference will be given to applicants who:

• Are in possession of a valid driver’s licence.
• Applicants in possession of a relevant three-year tertiary qualification (NQF 6 or higher) in criminal law, policing, forensic investigation, IT, computer science, natural science and accounting science.

Prospective applicants can submit their application to www.erecruitment.saps.gov.za

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