Thousands of new police recruits get ready to hit the streets

It was raining new recruits in Pretoria on Tuesday at the SA Police Service (Saps) passing-out parade at the Tshwane Academy.

But not even the rain could keep the thousands of new constables away from the passing-out parade, where they were welcomed into the force by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola.

Tears of joy flowed as friends and family cheered on the new constables parading for the first time, before joining them on the field to congratulate the newbies.

Cele said 9 831 young men and women presented themselves to various police academies across the country in April.

He said it was a ground-breaking milestone given that a maximum of 10 000 trainees were recruited and trained.

“These new constables have completed the longer and more intensive nine-month basic police development learning programme.

“Trainees have also been equipped with critical skills required at community service centres (CSC),” he said.

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The CSCs were the most important point of contact between the police and our communities, Cele said.

“Officers at these centres should provide victim-centred services, especially to women, children and the most vulnerable in society.”

Cele said the new constables also have the necessary insight into crime detection, understanding the elements of crime, statement taking and investigations across the spectrum.

“One other learning area the trainees were exposed to is street survival and the use of firearms, where they were equipped with knowledge and skills relating to tactical policing and use of firearms,” he said.

Ramaphosa said police work demanded commitment beyond the call of duty.

“This role will test your resolve in fighting crime, upholding the law and making South Africa a safe and peaceful country,” he said.

Professor Jaco Barkhuizen said it was a step in the right direction.

“But it is just a drop in the ocean of the crime we are experiencing currently in South Africa,” he said.

Barkhuizen said the recruits were young and dynamic.

“Let’s hope police, management and the minister of police take good care of these recruits, so they don’t get jaded and give up on fighting crime and assisting victims of crime.”

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