Download PDF of South African Police Service(SAPS) Application Form 2026-2027 | Requirements & Dates
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Before you fill out that SAPS Traineeship 2023/2024application to be a police officer, there are a lot of things to consider. Besides the important questions of whether or not this may be the right career for you or whether you can handle the emotional, mental and physical rigors that come with a day on the job, there’s one important question on which your entire career hopes will hinge: are you qualified to be a law enforcement officer?
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Benefits of Joining the South African Police Service (SAPS).
- Job security
- Good welfare package.
- Career advancement opportunity.
- Opportunity to protect, enforce and ensure peace and safety.
Requirements to Join the South African Police Service.
- Candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 30 throughout the duration of the recruitment exercise.
- Candidates must have sat for, passed and have the Grade 12 certificate.
- Candidates must possess good command of the English Language and any other language.
- You must be ready to take the oath of office
- Candidates must have no criminal record or any criminal trial in the offing.
- Candidates must be of South African origin
- You must have a South African identity card.
South African Police Service (SAPS ) Recruitment Exercise & The Process.
The SAPS recruitment exercise involves three (3) main stages which are:
1. INDUCTION STAGE.
The induction stage lasts for one (1) month at an assigned police station in which the candidate would have to understudy and monitor the activities of the South African Police Service officers and learn how they carry out their duties and the on field experience of policing.
2. BASIC TRAINING STAGE.
This training stage lasts for eight months (8) at an assigned South African Police Service Academy for the selected candidates. There candidates are thought the ethics and discipline of policing. They are thought how to fight and defend themselves in violent situations and to defend the public. Also taught to them is the ability to resolve disputes amicably and calm tensions. Laws of the country, human rights and so much more are taught to them.
3. PROBATION STAGE.
After the candidates has successfully passed the above 2 stages which are the induction stage and Basic Training Stage, the candidate would be enrolled in the South African Police Service force under probationary conditions for 12 months from the time of appointment and after the candidate has successfully passed the conditions for the Probation Stage, the employment would be fully confirmed.
The Candidate has to ensure that he or she has to be of due conduct during before, during and after the South African Police Service recruitment exercise. Candidates who behave in a way that causes embarrassment to the South African Police Service may have their employment terminated.
To register for the South African Police Service follow the guideline below.
Read Also: SAPS Police Clearance Certificates Enquiry Online 2026-2027
NOTE: Be aware of bogus website advertisements on SAPS traineeship and vacancies.
Basic Police Development Learning Programme
Police recruits undergo a Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) when they enlist in the South African Police Service.
Upon recruitment, a Memorandum of Agreement is entered into between the South African Police Service and the police recruit for a contract period of 24 months. During this period, the recruit will be a police trainee and will undergo the Basic Police Development Learning Programme.
The purpose of the Basic Police Development Learning Programme is to enable newly-appointed police officials to –
- use a series of legal and policing skills to protect and serve members of communities in accordance with the Constitution of South Africa
- provide a more effective service that will improve community satisfaction and position them to fulfil their mission of creating a safe and secure environment for all who live in South Africa.
The course is presented at the accredited SAPS academies earmarked to present the Basic Police Development Learning Programme. The SAPS have the following academies:
| SAPS ACADEMY ALL SAINTS | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY BHISHO | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY GRAAFF – REINET | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY MTHATHA | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY CHATSWORTH | KWAZULU-NATAL |
| SAPS ACADEMY ULUNDI | KWAZULU-NATAL |
| SAPS ACADEMY TSHWANE | GAUTENG |
| SAPS ACADEMY BISHOP LAVIS | WESTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY OUDTSHOORN | WESTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY PHILIPPI | WESTERN CAPE |
STRUCTURE OF THE BPDLP
The duration of the Learning Programme will be 24 months, of which 12 months will be at the Academy and 12 months in the workplace. It will consist of two phases at the academy and one phase in the workplace.
- Phase One: Academy (10 months)
- Foundational phase – will mainly focus on acquiring necessary knowledge and skills.
- Practical application of knowledge and skills
- Phase Two: Workplace experience (12 months)
- Workplace exposure at a station
- Phase Three: Academy (2 months)
- Integrated assessments
When police trainees complete the training and are found competent, they are permanently enlisted in the South African Police Service as constables.
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Payment and benefits during the first 24 months
A police trainee will receive the following payment and benefits during the first 24 months:
Phase 1: 10 months at the SAPS Academy
R3 175,00 per month
Free meals and accommodation
Polmed medical aid – lower plan membership, no pension fund
Phase 2 and 3: 12 months in the workplace at a station and two months integrated assessment at the Academy
R 7 275,00 per month
Own meals and accommodation
Polmed medical aid – lower or higher plan membership, pension fund and all other benefits (Leave, allowances, etc)
Permanent appointment after 24 months:
R 10 307,00 per month
All benefits applicable to SAPS Act members.
How to Apply For SAPS Traineeship
The minimum qualifications listed above determine an individual’s basic eligibility for employment with the South African Police Service (SAPS). Please note, the application process can be lengthy. Depending on a person’s specific circumstances, the process can take as little as a few months to more than a year.
The human resource personnel encourages applicants to apply for positions by submitting an online application
Read Also: SAPS Intake Closing Dates 2026-2027
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