JMPD recruitment process clarified
Allegations of applicants being turned away investigated
“I was informed of reports that a number of applicants for our 1 500 Metro Police Officer (MPO) trainee positions had been turned away.”
According to the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, councillor Michael Sun, he investigated the allegations which were sent to him. “It was alleged that some applicants were turned away at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Training Academy’s gate. I have found that only shortlisted applicants would have been invited to attend the physical fitness test at the academy, and what actually transpired, was that some of the unsuccessful applicants showed up for the test, uninvited,” said the MMC.
Initial Article: JMPD is looking for new recruits
During the last few months, the JMPD went on a recruitment drive to find 1 500 MPO trainees and received a staggering 65 000 applications. From these applications, 7 500 applicants were shortlisted. “These applicants will be contacted over a 10-day period to undergo the first phase of assessment – the physical fitness test,” he said.
Before the 7 500 shortlisted applicants were called to the training academy, they had to meet the criteria as set out in the 2011 gazetted Policy Document of Training Centres, which are:
• Grade 12 qualification;
• Code B driver’s license (for manual transmission);
• No criminal record;
• Be a South African citizen;
• Must reside within the City of Johannesburg;
• No civil judgments in your name, relating to fraud or corruption;
• Be between the ages of 18 and 35.
The first test applicants had to complete was the physical fitness test, consisting of a 2,4 kilometre run. Men needed to complete this run within 12 minutes, and women 17 minutes. Those who successfully completed the run, proceeded to the wall-climbing activity. “Both these tests are designed to determine whether the applicants’ level of fitness meets the basic criteria,” the MMC said.
After the fitness test, applicants will be required to undertake an aptitude test, consisting of numeracy and literacy. Applicants who achieve a good result in this test will then proceed to the interview section. “During the interview, the applicants’ past experience as well as the results of both the physical and aptitude tests will indicate whether they will be selected to be part of the 1 500 trainees,” he said.
The JMPD has appointed a recruitment agency to assist with the process, to ensure the process is fair, transparent and to avoid any possible nepotism and corruption.
The MMC concluded by saying, “Whilst we are positively overwhelmed at the interest shown by the men and women who want to become protectors of our city, it is unfortunate that the process will eliminate nearly 63 500 applicants. We want to encourage all applicants who did not qualify this time around, to continue with their efforts and hope that we will see their applications again during our next intake.”
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