SAPS

Overview

The South African Police Service (SAPS) recruits entry-level police through the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP). Applicants who are accepted join as police trainees, train at a SAPS academy and then continue learning at a police station. There is no single written entrance exam. Selection is made from applications, followed by fitness, medical, psychological and background checks.

The official SAPS website could not be opened (its security certificate failed verification), and the news sites that could be read were not able to confirm the advert itself. This page rests on job-board and news reports, which disagree on some details such as programme length. Check the advert on the official SAPS careers site before applying. Because intake adverts change each year, this page is short.

Who can apply

For the 2026 intake, job-board reports gave these requirements:

• South African citizenship, with a valid ID.

• Aged at least 18 and not older than 35 by the closing date.

• A Grade 12 certificate or equivalent.

• Physical, mental and medical fitness, subject to a medical examination, psychometric assessment, fitness test and security vetting.

• Proficiency in at least two official languages, including English.

• Willingness to wear the SAPS uniform, take the oath of office and serve anywhere in South Africa.

• No criminal record or pending cases, and no visible tattoos when wearing the summer uniform, according to one of the reports.

In June 2025, the National Commissioner said the maximum entry age had been raised to 35, in line with the National Youth Policy.

Selection

Shortlisted applicants are reported to go through:

1. A physical fitness assessment (running, push-ups and sit-ups).

2. Medical and psychological evaluation.

3. Fingerprinting, background checks and security vetting.

4. Final selection and placement at an academy.

Only shortlisted applicants are contacted.

Programme structure

Trainees do an academy phase at a SAPS academy, followed by a workplace phase at a designated police station. The reports disagree on the length: one gives 21 months in total (6 months at the academy and 15 months in the workplace) and another gives 24 months (an academy phase of 10 to 12 months and a field phase of 12 months). Check the advert for the current length. After completing the programme, trainees may be appointed as SAPS constables.

Important dates

Closing dates vary by advert and province. In June 2025, the National Commissioner said SAPS would soon advertise 5,500 trainee posts, with training to begin in January and February 2026. Check the SAPS careers site for the date of the current intake.

Fees

No fee is charged to apply. Both job-board reports warn that anyone asking for payment is a scammer.

How to apply

For 2026, the reports describe an online route:

1. Register an e-recruitment profile on the SAPS careers site. In June 2025, SAPS said it would introduce an online recruitment system for the first time.

2. Find the BPDLP advert and note its reference number.

3. Complete and submit the application with your Grade 12 certificate (or equivalent), ID and other documents before the closing date.

One report instead describes handing a completed SAPS application form and certified documents to a provincial recruitment office. Use the method in the current advert.

Preparation tips

• Begin fitness training early (running, push-ups, sit-ups, endurance).

• Prepare certified copies of your documents and give accurate details about your background and health.

• Do not submit duplicate applications, as reports say they can be rejected.