With only 5 500 spots available in the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPLDP) the SAPS say they have received over 900 000 applications. The deadline to enter is today (July 18).

The most applications were received from women (527 673) and Gauteng (more than 240 000). Only 28% of applicants are in possession of valid driver’s licences.

On July 2, Kempton Express reported that the SAPS received over 67 000 applications within 24 hours of launching its first ever electronic recruitment system.

South Africans between the ages of 18 and 35-years-old were invited to apply to be admitted to the training programme.

In a statement yesterday, the SAPS said it has received 927 000 applications as the deadline looms. Police say not all applicants will make it through the selection process.

To fill the 5 500 available spots, successful applicants will be contacted and then further screened. This includes an interview as well as psychometric, integrity, physical and medical assessments.

Applications according to province:

• 26% (240 000) from Gauteng
• 19% (179 000) from KZN
• 11% (102 000) from Limpopo
• 10% (93 000) from the Eastern Cape
• 10% (89 000) from Mpumalanga
• 8% (76 000) from the Western Cape
• 7% (64 000) from the Free State
• 6% (57 000) from the North West
• 2% (22 000) from the Northern Cape

Demographics about applicants:

• 57% are women (527 673 applications)
• 43% are men (400 204 applications)
• 261 255 applicants (28%) have driver’s licences.