In a significant boost for national security, Deputy Minister of Police, Ms. Polly Boshielo, proudly welcomed 1,812 newly trained police constables into the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS). This graduation marks the first milestone of the 2024/2025 police training program and brings fresh energy to the ongoing fight against crime.
The newly minted constables are part of a larger cohort of 4,500 trainees who began their journey in April 2024. After a rigorous six-month Introductory Police Learning Development Programme (IPLDP), these graduates are equipped to tackle the challenges that await them on the streets. They showcased their commitment and readiness in parades held across various SAPS academies, including Bhisho, Mthatha, Bishop Lavis, Mankwe, Moloto, and Graaf Reinet.
Bhisho SAPS academy hosted the largest parade, with 779 constables standing proudly in formation, officiated by Deputy Minister Boshielo herself. Each of these officers comes with a solid educational foundation, holding at least an NQF level 6 qualification in diverse fields such as Law, Policing, Forensic Science, Information Technology, and Public Management.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the police force and addressing rising crime challenges. “As we advance our crime-fighting initiatives, the deployment of these constables is crucial,” she stated. “We are also actively working towards achieving the United Nations’ recommendation of one police officer for every 220 citizens.”
As these constables prepare for their workplace exposure, particularly during the bustling Festive Season, they are urged to maintain vigilance and remain tactically alert. The addition of these new members represents a concerted effort to bolster the SAPS’s capacity and responsiveness, ensuring that communities can feel safer knowing that dedicated officers are prepared to serve and protect.
