SAPS applications for 2026.
To become a police officer in South Africa, you must be a South African citizen between 18 and 30 years old with a Grade 12 certificate, no criminal record, and be fluent in English and one other official language. You must also pass medical, fitness, and psychological assessments, and have no visible tattoos.
Meeting these criteria allows you to apply for the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP).
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Age: 18 to 30 years old
- Citizenship: Permanent South African resident/citizen by birth
- Education: Grade 12 (Senior Certificate or equivalent)
- Language: Fluent in English and at least one additional official language
- Character: No previous criminal convictions or pending cases
- Tattoos: No visible tattoos that conflict with SAPS objectives (e.g., face, neck, or hands)
Mandatory Assessments
If shortlisted, you will be required to undergo and pass:
- Medical and Physical Fitness Examinations: To prove you are mentally and physically fit
- Psychological and Integrity Assessments: Conducted by SAPS Psychological Services
- Background Check: Fingerprinting and vetting
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The Training SAPS Process
Upon acceptance, you will complete the 24-month Basic Police Development Learning Programme:
- Academy Phase: 10 months of foundational police training.
- Workplace Exposure: 12 months of practical, supervised training at a police station.
- Assessment Phase: 2 months of integrated final assessments.
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How to Apply
Applications are not accepted continuously; you must wait for periodic recruitment drives which are advertised in national media and local police stations. When positions are open, you can submit your application online or check for requirements on the SAPS
Note: You must be prepared to accept deployment anywhere in South Africa based on the operational needs of the service.
Police recruits undergo a Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) when they enlist in the South African Police Service.
Upon recruitment, a Memorandum of Agreement is entered into between the South African Police Service and the police recruit for a contract period of 24 months. During this period, the recruit will be a police trainee and will undergo the Basic Police Development Learning Programme.
The purpose of the Basic Police Development Learning Programme is to enable newly-appointed police officials to –
- use a series of legal and policing skills to protect and serve members of communities in accordance with the Constitution of South Africa
- provide a more effective service that will improve community satisfaction and position them to fulfil their mission of creating a safe and secure environment for all who live in South Africa.
The course is presented at the accredited SAPS academies earmarked to present the Basic Police Development Learning Programme.
The SAPS have the following academies:
| SAPS ACADEMY ALL SAINTS | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY BHISHO | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY GRAAFF – REINET | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY MTHATHA | EASTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY CHATSWORTH | KWAZULU-NATAL |
| SAPS ACADEMY ULUNDI | KWAZULU-NATAL |
| SAPS ACADEMY TSHWANE | GAUTENG |
| SAPS ACADEMY BISHOP LAVIS | WESTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY OUDTSHOORN | WESTERN CAPE |
| SAPS ACADEMY PHILIPPI | WESTERN CAPE |
STRUCTURE OF THE BPDLP
The duration of the Learning Programme will be 24 months, of which 12 months will be at the Academy and 12 months in the workplace. It will consist of two phases at the academy and one phase in the workplace.
- Phase One: Academy (10 months)
- Foundational phase – will mainly focus on acquiring necessary knowledge and skills.
- Practical application of knowledge and skills
- Phase Two: Workplace experience (12 months)
- Workplace exposure at a station
- Phase Three: Academy (2 months)
- Integrated assessments
When police trainees complete the training and are found competent, they are permanently enlisted in the South African Police Service as constables.
Payment and benefits during the first 24 months
A police trainee will receive the following payment and benefits during the first 24 months:
Phase 1: 10 months at the SAPS Academy
R3 175,00 per month
Free meals and accommodation
Polmed medical aid – lower plan membership, no pension fund
Phase 2 and 3: 12 months in the workplace at a station and two months integrated assessment at the Academy
R 7 275,00 per month
Own meals and accommodation
Polmed medical aid – lower or higher plan membership, pension fund and all other benefits (Leave, allowances, etc)
Permanent appointment after 24 months:
R 10 307,00 per month
All benefits applicable to SAPS Act members
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
CLOSING DATE : 23 July 2026 at 16:00
https://www.saps.gov.za/careers/ptrainees.php
NOTE : Applications must be submitted on a Z83 Form (2021 version), obtainable from
http://www.dpsa.gov.za/dpsa2g/vacancies.asp, which must be accompanied
with a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae.
The post particulars and reference number of the post must be correctly specified on the application form.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to produce originals of their ID, Senior
Certificate and all educational qualifications obtained, service certificates from
previous employers stating the occupation and motor vehicle driver’s license,
before the interview.
Qualifications and driver’s licences submitted will be
subjected to verification with the relevant institutions.
It is the responsibility of the applicants to submit applications timeously to the correct physical address
as provided below (Please note that applications that are submitted to an
incorrect physical address will not be considered).
Late applications will not beaccepted or considered.
Short-listed candidates will be subjected to fingerprint screening, reference checking and verification of address, where necessary.
APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT IN TERMS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE ACT, 1995 (ACT NO 68 OF 1995)
Someone who applies to be appointed in terms of the SAPS Act, 1995 must –
- fill out the official application form and affirm under oath or by means of a solemn declaration that the information he/she supplied on the application, is true and correct
- have permanent residency in the Republic of South Africa (RSA), of which he/she must give documentary proof
- be at least 18 years old, but younger than 30 years (documentary proof is needed)
- undergo a physical and medical examination as determined by the SAPS, and must be found to be physically and mentally fit to be appointed in the post for which he/she applies
- undergo a psychological assessment as determined by the National Commissioner of the SAPS, and must be found to fit the profile of a police official
- have a Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or an equivalent qualification, of which he/she must present documentary proof
- be fluent in English and at least one other official language
- be prepared to take the oath of office
- be prepared to undergo any training as determined by the National Commissioner of the SAPS
- not have any visible tattoos that are contrary to the objectives of the SAPS
- not have previous criminal convictions
- let his/her fingerprints be taken
- be prepared to have his/her background checked
- be prepared to serve anywhere in South Africa.
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