Can a kid be a cop for a day?
Civilian employees are employed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act No 103 of 1994)
There are lots of good reasons why a kid might, someday, want to be a cop.
Policemen spend their days saving lives (every speeding ticket they write, every fight they break up, and every incident of domestic violence that they respond to might have evolved into a fatality if they hadn’t intervened and prevented it) and helping people to make better choices (by educating and supporting drug addicts, for example).
The South African Police Services (SAPS) offers careers in various fields.
If you join the SAPS you can either become a police official or a civilian employee. Police officials are employed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995).
Civilian employees are employed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act No 103 of 1994).
Most functional police officials are directly involved in preventing, combating or investigating crime.
The other police officials and civilian personnel carry out support functions.
Students who are interested in joining the South African Police Service after they have completed their schooling should be mindful of the criteria to become a police official: You need to be a South African citizen; have a Grade 12 (Standard 10) Senior Certificate; be at least 18 years old (but under 30 years old); have a valid driver’s licence; have no criminal record; be physically, mentally and medically fit; have good communication skills; act decisively and without hesitation; and be a calm and even-tempered person.
On June 13, Sergeant Janine Opperman and Witbank SAPS – along with Community Policing Forum (CPF) operatives and corporate sponsors such as Pick n Pay and Hermansdal – hosted a “bring a child to work”-day.
Children were selected, instead of police officers bringing their own biological children to work, giving the day a sense of ‘fairness’ and leaving many young minds hopeful about their futures.
Approximately 30 children, who would have otherwise not been aware of all of the job opportunities available at the SAPS, were treated to a tour through the police station.
These lucky future-cops got to spend the day living and breathing SAPS; getting to know what it would be like to be a policeman (or woman!).
