Pretoria: 15 December 2016 – Today, the South African Police Service (SAPS) simultaneously hosted four passing-out parades for newly trained police officials who had successfully completed the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) at the SAPS Tshwane Academy in Gauteng, the SAPS Philippi Academy in the Western Cape, the SAPS Bisho Academy in the Eastern Cape and the SAPS Chatsworth Academy in KwaZulu-Natal.
A total of 4 941 recruits successfully completed the programme at the SAPS Basic Training Academies in the country, which culminated in the passing-out parades today. These newly trained constables will now be deployed at police stations throughout the country where they will be performing operational duties for 12 months. This forms part of practical, in-service training.
The SAPS management reviewed the previous training curriculum after conducting impact studies and benchmarking with regional and international standards. The new, intensified and specialised curriculum for basic training includes continuous practical and workplace exposure. The focus is on various aspects of policing, which will equip the new recruits with the necessary skills to perform professional police duties in a democratic dispensation. It will furthermore enable them to provide a more effective service and to create a safe and secure environment for all in South Africa.
The SAPS believes that the workplace exposure will go a long way in entrenching the back- to-basics approach, of which the key focus areas are to enhance police visibility, ensure the efficient utilisation of resources in support of the investigation of crime, embark on the informed deployment of operational resources and the optimal use of crime intelligence in support of proactive and reactive policing.
The duration of the new BPDLP is one year and nine months, and it consists of the following:
- One month’s induction programme at station level
- Eight months’ academic and tactical training at the SAPS Academy
- Twelve months’ in-service training.
Crowd management has been included in the Basic Training curriculum to equip the new members to manage crowds as the first responders to protest actions.
The SAPS is confident that its new members are well trained, ready to serve and to protect all in South Africa, especially during the busy festive season. These members will soon join the rest of the SAPS members, who have already been operationally deployed, as part of the Safer Festive Season Campaign in line with the back-to-basics operational plan.
The addition of almost 5 000 new police officials to our current establishment, will enhance police visibility and will ensure that the presence of the SAPS is felt and seen in all central business districts, holiday destinations, parks and public areas to curb criminal activities and to ensure that all the people are and feel safe.
