President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the recruitment and training of almost 10 000 men and women into the South African Police Services.
Ramaphosa said this while giving a keynote address at the Tshwane Police academy today where 2 939 police officers successfully completed their training.
The SAPS said a total of 9 248 constables have been trained and are ready to serve South Africa.
Ramaphosa congratulated the police on their passing out parade in all parts of South Africa and reminded them that what they have signed up for was not a job, but a calling that demands commitment beyond the call of duty.
“I say Congratulations to you and to your other colleagues who will be holding the passing out in other parts of our country. What you have signed up for is not a job. It is calling to the service of the people of South Africa.
“As our police you are the first line of defence protecting and serving our citizens, our community and our country. Those who put on the uniform that you are wearing today are called to perform the highest service to the people of our country,” he added.
Ramaphosa said the new police officers will capacitate the Public Order Policing Unit and the specialised unit within the force to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).
“In this regard, 4,000 recruits will be deployed to the Public Order Policing Unit. Some of the newly-qualified constables will be deployed to other specialised units within the SAPS.These include the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unites to bolster our capacity to fight the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide,” said Ramaphosa.
“As our police you are the first line of defence protecting and serving our citizens, our community and our country. Those who put on the uniform that you are wearing today are called to perform the highest service to the people of our country,” he added.
Of the newly trained graduates, 2 939 came out of the Tshwane Academy in Gauteng, 847 from Bisho and 343 from Graaff Reinet in the Eastern Cape .
There are a total of 3 695 trainees expected to pass out on Wednesday of which 2 942 officers will pass out from the South African National Defence Force military base in Kimberley, 440 from Oudtshoorn in the Northern Cape; 140 and 173 from Ulundi and Chatsworth in KwaZulu Natal respectively.
The final parade will be held on Thursday in Paarl, Western Cape where 1428 police officers will pass out.
