A new breed of ‘traffic cop’ is coming for you
This ground-breaking qualification is intended to produce a 21st-century cadre of traffic officers who will be equipped in all aspects of traffic legislation.
Three hundred new traffic police recruits had started intensive training in Kempton Park on a new, higher level qualification.
The acting Minister of Transport, Thulas Nxesi, addressed the recruits at a function at Denel Aviation Campus in Bonaero Park on January 27.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), this ground-breaking qualification is intended to produce a 21st-century cadre of traffic officers who will be equipped in all aspects of traffic legislation, ethics and communication among others.
The qualification is benchmarked on international standards and is the first such qualification to be offered in Africa. It is part of efforts to professionalise the road traffic law enforcement fraternity in the country.
The previous curriculum for traffic officer trainees was on National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 4 (equivalent to a matric qualification) and had many limitations, according to the RTMC.
The shortcomings of the previous curriculum prompted the RTMC to introduce the new qualification on NQF Level 6, which is equivalent to a university diploma.
The all new qualification will be a three-year course and it will ensure trainees are adequately trained to deal with any eventualities on the road.
The learning programme consists of three components: knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience.
Nxesi urged the group to use the training opportunity to change the face of traffic law enforcement in the country.
“For a long time, traffic law enforcement has been regarded as a stepchild of the SAPS, SADF and even correctional services. With this bold move, traffic officers will finally be able to take up their place among their peers as professionals in their own right,” said Nxesi.
“There are too many complaints about the ethical conduct of traffic officers and this course must assist by producing officers with a high level of ethical conduct.
“We rely on you to turn around the current perception that traffic officers are corrupt,” said Nxesi.
The group was selected from over 74 000 applicants and underwent an intensive selection process, including fitness and psychometric tests.
