WATCH: New JMPD recruits unveiled at ceremonial pass out parade
Executive mayor councillor Herman Mashaba said that he hoped the new recruits will consider this a calling, and not merely a job.
A PASS out parade of the additional 1 085 Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, the single largest recruitment of metro police officers across any of the country’s metros was held at Nasrec Expo Centre on November 25.
The executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, councillor Herman Mashaba, and the MMC for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, were joined by the Chief of the JMPD, David Tembe, for a pass out parade ceremony.
Mashaba said: “In 2017, when we took the bold decision to take public safety and law enforcement seriously, the first time a municipality had shown such courage and conviction. We were surprised to learn that 65 000 people applied for 1 579 trainee positions in the JMPD.
“If this does not speak to the desperation of our unemployed masses, I don’t know what does.
“I am willing to bet that most of the applicants were young people who had never known gainful employment, but who in all likelihood possessed qualifications higher than what was required to become JMPD officers.
“I understand the desperation our young people feel when faced with the reality of long-term unemployment, despite possessing qualifications which normally would guarantee one a reasonable opportunity of being employed.”
He also mentioned that he hoped the new recruits will consider this a calling, and not merely a job.
“I hope you will stay true to your oath; never to betray your badge, your integrity, your character or that of the JMPD nor forsake the public’s trust. For 25 years, South Africans have been betrayed, their dreams and aspirations sold for a few pieces of silver. I implore you, have the courage to hold yourselves accountable and most importantly, uphold the Constitution of South Africa,” explained the mayor.
In 2017, the City of Johannesburg recruited 1 579 trainees to undergo training via the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Academy to become JMPD officers.
The course began in April 2018 and saw the recruits go through a two-pronged qualification course comprising of Traffic Qualification (Phase 1) and Law Enforcement Skills Programme (Phase 2).
The remaining number of trainees will continue to undergo training into the new year and are expected to graduate in June 2020.
Upon completion of the qualifications, all trainees are expected to attend an induction programme which runs for a month.
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