If you have a passion for justice and fighting crime, then choosing to become a police officer will enable you to get actively involved in protecting your community.
Career Overview
A police officer prevents combats and investigates crime. They are called to criminal situations such as robberies, domestic incidents, drug busts and the like. In addition to this, police officers patrol the streets to look out for suspicious activity and are trained to defend themselves and those in need of defense. Within a police station, there is a ranking system. The ranks in the police force are as follows:
- Detective
- Corporal
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Deputy chief
- Chief
Required School Subjects
In order to meet the minimum requirements for police training, you will just need to have completed the standard subjects at school. This consists of the compulsory subjects as well as three additional subjects.
There are no recommended school subjects for policing.
Institution and APS
Becoming a police officer doesn’t require a diploma or degree. Therefore, you won’t need a certain APS.
That being said, police training is required. The recommended training facility is the South African Police Service (SAPS). They run trials throughout the year.
Keep an eye out for ads in the paper or on their website.
Required Qualification/s
In order to qualify as a police officer at SAPS, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Undergo a physical and medical examination as determined by the South African Police Service (SAPS), and meet the physical and mental requirements for the desired position.
- Undergo a psychological evaluation as determined by the National Commissioner of the SAPS and meet the profile criteria for a police officer.
- Hold a Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or an equivalent qualification, supported by documentary evidence.
- Demonstrate fluency in English and at least one other official language.
- Be willing to take the oath of office.
- Be willing to participate in any training deemed necessary by the National Commissioner of the SAPS.
- Not display visible tattoos that conflict with the objectives of the SAPS.
- Have no prior criminal convictions.
- Consent to fingerprinting.
- Be prepared for a thorough background check.
- Be willing to serve in any location within South Africa.
Required Skills
You will need to have skills and traits:
Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills are crucial for interacting with colleagues, superiors, and the public. Clear communication helps gather information, de-escalate conflicts, and prepare accurate reports.
Critical thinking: Police officers need to analyze situations, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions quickly. They must assess risks, prioritize tasks, and respond appropriately to various scenarios.
Problem-solving: Police officers encounter complex and challenging situations regularly. They need strong problem-solving skills to identify root causes, develop strategies, and implement appropriate actions to resolve conflicts or handle emergencies.
Integrity: Maintaining the highest ethical standards is essential for police officers. They must demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness, and a commitment to upholding the law. Integrity fosters public trust and confidence in law enforcement.
Empathy and compassion: Police officers often interact with individuals in distress or facing difficult circumstances. Having empathy and compassion allows them to understand people’s emotions, show sensitivity, and provide appropriate support.
Physical fitness: Police work can be physically demanding. Officers must possess good overall fitness, including strength, endurance, and agility, to handle physical confrontations, chase suspects, and perform duties that require stamina.
Teamwork: Collaboration and cooperation are vital in law enforcement. Police officers often work in teams and need to effectively coordinate with colleagues to achieve common goals, maintain officer safety, and ensure effective responses to incidents.
Cultural competence: Police officers serve diverse communities. Being culturally competent enables them to understand and respect different backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives, promoting fair and unbiased treatment of all individuals.
Resilience and emotional stability: Police officers face stressful and potentially traumatic situations regularly. They must possess emotional stability, resilience, and the ability to manage their own stress effectively to cope with the demands of the job.
Technology proficiency: With advancements in technology, police officers need to adapt to new tools and systems used in law enforcement. Proficiency in using computers, databases, surveillance equipment, and other relevant technologies is essential.
These skills, combined with proper training and ongoing professional development, contribute to effective policing and the maintenance of public safety.
Where You Can Work
As a police officer, you will be able to work in police stations across the country. The department you work in will depend on where the demand is. Whether you are doing desk work or “out in action,” you will be employed by the South African police force.
Working Hours
The working hours of a police officer are divided into shifts. These shifts are 12 hours long—day or night. Once you work your way up the ranks, you can move to office hours. However, it’s important to note that you can still be called out if there is an emergency.
Expected Salary
In terms of wages, police officers start on an average base salary of approximately R16 600. It isn’t the highest paying occupation but you get great benefits such as medical aid, housing subsidies and pension.
What to Expect
As a police officer, there are several things you can expect from your job:
Varied and challenging work: Policing involves a wide range of tasks and responsibilities. You can expect each day to bring new challenges and situations, including responding to emergencies, conducting investigations, patrolling neighborhoods, enforcing laws and providing assistance to the public.
Sense of purpose and service: Being a police officer offers an opportunity to serve and protect your community. You can expect a sense of purpose as you work towards maintaining law and order, promoting public safety and helping individuals in need.
Teamwork and collaboration: Police work often involves working closely with fellow officers and other agencies. Expect to collaborate with your colleagues to achieve common goals, exchange information and support each other during challenging situations.
Shift work and irregular hours: Police officers typically work in shifts to provide around-the-clock coverage. This means you can expect to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays. The nature of the job requires flexibility in scheduling and the ability to adapt to changing work hours.
High level of responsibility: As a police officer, you are entrusted with significant responsibility. Expect to make critical decisions quickly, maintain public trust and be accountable for your actions. The safety and well-being of the community will often depend on your judgment and professionalism.
Exposure to stressful and traumatic situations: Policing can expose you to stressful and potentially traumatic incidents. Expect to encounter challenging situations, including accidents, crimes, violence and emergencies. It’s important to prioritise self-care, seek support and utilise available resources to manage stress and maintain overall well-being.
Continuous learning and training: Expect ongoing training and professional development throughout your career. Policing techniques, laws and technologies evolve, and it’s essential to stay updated with current practices and policies. Training programmes help enhance your skills, knowledge and effectiveness as a police officer.
Public interaction: As a visible representative of law enforcement, expect regular interaction with the public. You will engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including victims, witnesses, suspects and community members. Effective communication and interpersonal skills are crucial in building rapport, resolving conflicts and maintaining public trust.
Adherence to policies and procedures: Policing requires strict adherence to departmental policies, codes of conduct and legal regulations. Expect to follow standard operating procedures, maintain accurate records and uphold the principles of fairness, justice and equality.
Personal and professional growth: Policing offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. With experience, additional training and specialisation, you can pursue career advancements, such as detective work, specialised units, leadership roles or community engagement positions.
Remember, the expectations and experiences of being a police officer may vary based on factors like location, department size and specific assignments. It is important to familiarise yourself with the policies and guidelines of your specific jurisdiction and maintain a commitment to serving your community to the best of your abilities.
Related Articles
Traffic and Metropolitan Policing – What Does It Take?
If you can be described as someone who is concerned for other peoples’ safety, you’re responsible and courageous, then you might consider joining the police academy as a Traffic or Metropolitan Police Officer.
During the festive season and long weekends the news is often abuzz with traffic reports, road accidents and the increased crime rate throughout the country. Although newsmakers place these issues on their agenda a few times a year, metropolitan and traffic police make public safety, policing and crime prevention their everyday job.
How to be a Hero with Criminology
If you have ever wanted to spend your time working for social change and fighting for justice, read on. Criminology can take you from zero to hero in no time.
