WATCH: More than 3 000 newly trained police officers to be deployed in time for the festive season

The South African Police Service held various passing-out parades on Friday for more than 3000 newly trained police officials countrywide for young men and women who have completed their Basic Police Training Learning Programme.

This is according to a media statement released by the SA Police Service (SAPS).

#sapsHQ Aerial view of #PoliceTrainees during today’s passing out parade at #SAPS Tshwane Training Academy in PTA West. ME pic.twitter.com/uYhHyRLi8D

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 22, 2017

The passing-out parades were held at SAPS Tshwane Academy, SAPS Bhisho Academy in the Eastern Cape and SAPS Bishop Lavis in the Western Cape.

The police trainees, who stood on parade, are the second intake to graduate from the revised Basic Police Training Learning Programme which was introduced in 2016.

The revised programme comprises of an induction phase of one month, which is intended to familiarise trainees with the police station environment and the overall basic activities of the community service centres.

During this phase, trainees develop a better understanding of policing duties which eventually prepares them towards their learning abilities for the Academy. The trainees then proceed to one of the SAPS training academies for eight months where they are trained as police officials. This training is a combination of theory and practice.

Once completed, members are then deployed as fully-fledged constables to their various police stations across the country, where they serve a one-year probation period, which is also seen as an in-service training programme.

The training programme allows officers to provide a more efficient and effective policing service to ensure that the people of South Africa are and feel safe.

A total of 3 499 newly trained officers will be deployed across the country just in time for the festive season. This is inclusive of 935 females and 2564 males.

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/944161246353547269

In his welcoming address, the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, General Khehla Sitole congratulated the newly trained officers and encouraged them to implement their skills and knowledge at the various police stations nationwide.

“Members on parade, you will need to continuously learn and apply what you have been taught, in an endless process of improving your policing skills.  In your career as a police officer, remember that your focus should always be the citizens of this country, the people you have to serve and protect. Use the powers granted to you with an accompanying sense of responsibility, and be ethical in all that you do. Treat all people with respect. Respect and humility will keep you on the right track in trying times, even when criminals try to lure you into criminality for corrupt gains. Live and work in such a way that your colleagues and the community will respect you.”

During his keynote address, Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula urged the new officers to uphold the constitution of the country, thereby respecting all human rights in the execution of their policing mandate.

#sapsHQ Media Statement: More than 3000 newly trained police officers pass-out. The passing-out parades were held at SAPS Tshwane Academy, SAPS Bhisho Academy in the Eastern Cape and SAPS Bishop Lavis in the Western Cape. NP https://t.co/DKTO3LoKHT pic.twitter.com/vpncxlan5u

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 22, 2017

“Policing in a democratic dispensation means that the human rights of the communities that we serve, must be respected at all times. Human rights are therefore a golden thread that runs through all the different modules. Never forget what you have learnt during your training, as you will need to physically and mentally survive and strive in your career and to overcome the challenges which await you. Remember that corruption and dishonesty tarnish the image of the SAPS and that many men and women in blue lost their jobs, ended up behind bars and with criminal records because they succumbed to the evils of criminal activity and greed.”

The addition of more than 3 000 new police officials to our current establishment, is seen as a force multiplier and we are as the South African Police Service certain that this will enhance police visibility during this busy festive season.

#sapsHQ Vote of Thanks being delivered by DNC #SAPS Human Resource Management, Lt Gen Mgwenya at the #PoliceTrainees passing out parade at #SAPS Tshwane Academy, PTA West. ME pic.twitter.com/6Wcd5mYjXa

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 22, 2017

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/944122909651546112

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