Police train 2000 security officers and reservists in a bid to up arms “on the ground”
“As a result, 14 reservists whose tests came back positive were not able to report for training and are currently self-isolating.”
The South African Police Service have started training more than 2 000 reservists and security in a bid to assist officers on the ground in crime-fighting initiatives.
The training comes after a decision to capacitate service points and units with reservists was taken during a recruitment indaba in July 2019 in Pretoria.
The police in a statement said the reservists previously served in the police and that training was commencing at various SAPS training academies nationwide.
The reservists and security officers were appointed as constables in December 2020.
Police said, “the move to appoint and subsequently train these reservists as permanent police officers aim to bolster capacity and ensure more boots on the ground to service communities.”
It said the reservists, who voluntarily offer their services to the police service by assisting officers on the ground in crime-fighting initiatives, had also undergone thorough psychological assessments as well as physical and medical examinations as determined by the national commissioner, General Khehla John Sitole.
They had also undergone in-service training with the reservist’s development learning programme which trained the reservists on theory, practical, tactical and firearm training.
“This training provides the reservist with the necessary skills to ensure the reservist are developed in the policing field to safely and effectively perform his or her duties.”
Police said part of their roles would be to perform duties within the community service centre, patrols, security guard duties as well as administrative work under the supervision of a police official.
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Further police said that in line with the organisations’ health and safety protocols and in adhering to regulations for the containment, management and prevention of the spread of Covid-19, only 2 469 reservists out of 2 504 reported to the eight training academies nationwide.
“A variety of reasons including health-related matters led to some of them being turned away.”
Police said this was to minimise the risk of transmission of Covid-19.
“Reservists were expected to produce a medical certificate confirming they had tested negative for Covid-19, 48 hours before they were expected to report for training.
“As a result, 14 reservists whose tests came back positive were not able to report for training and are currently self-isolating.”
Police said this training came after the relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions.
“The police reviewed the training plan and deemed it fit to commence with the selection processes and subsequent training of applicants.”
The newly appointed constables will undergo a four-month training programme where they will be developed in a number of fields to enable them to serve as men and women in blue and will be deployed to serve at stations, service points and units in their respective communities.
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