The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it received some 517,000 applications from youth between the ages of 18 and 30 years for the 2018\/19 Basic Police Learning Development Programme (BLDP) intake.<\/p>\n
In May this year, SAPS embarked on a recruitment drive across the country for the BLDP intake, which according to the Citizen, can only accommodate 3,500 people.<\/p>\n
“The high number of applications received is encouraging for us to know that young people are ready to play their part in the fight against crime.<\/p>\n
“Young people are ready to serve and protect the people of SA. We will, however, only select candidates based on merit following their success in all assessment processes.<\/p>\n
“These young people will be seen as force multipliers and will assist greatly in the fight against crime,” said the Deputy National Commissioner for Human Resources Management in SAPS, Lt Gen Bonang Mgwenya.<\/p>\n
Applications, which were accepted from the 1,146 police stations nationwide, closed on 15 June 2018.<\/p>\n
SAPS said it won\u2019t be receiving any more applications until the recruitment process for 2019\/20 commences.<\/p>\n
At least 63,000 of the applicants have already undergone psychometric testing, an assessment which aims to measure an applicant\u2019s attributes such as their intelligence, aptitude and personality, the SAPS said.<\/p>\n
Those who conform to the set requirements, as determined by SAPS, will also undergo physical fitness assessments and a final medical examination assessment.<\/p>\n
“Recruiting and selecting the right candidates to serve as police officers is of paramount importance to the continued success of the work and mandate of SAPS.<\/p>\n
“The recruitment process sets out to ensure that only deserving applicants are chosen based on merit and that this process is free from bias, nepotism and discrimination,” said SAPS in a statement.<\/p>\n
Candidates that have undergone and were successful in their psychometric testing assessments will receive an automated short message service (SMS) from SAPS notifying them to contact their recruitment office.<\/p>\n
These applicants are encouraged to visit their nearest police station and enquire about the nearest recruitment office.<\/p>\n