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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Mr Ian Cameron, welcomes the additional 1 812 new police officers who will graduate today and on 18 October 2024 in passing-out ceremonies across the country.
 
“The addition of the nearly 2 000 new recruits adds the necessary capacity and augments the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS). We are hopeful that the additional capacity will result in increased police visibility, which will act as a deterrent against crime in the country,” Mr Cameron said.
 
Although the new personnel are a welcomed addition, the Chairperson highlighted that the inadequate police to population ratio in the country remains stubbornly high. Nonetheless, the new recruits will reduce this inadequacy and will ensure that people and businesses are protected and that the SAPS regains the needed strength and incentive to fight crime. It is also important that this cohort brings into the force graduates with a minimum NQF level 6 qualification in disciplines such as forensic science, information technology and law, which will ensure that the SAPS are capacitated to deal with emerging crime trends.  
 
As the new recruits add the numbers to the ground, the Chairperson has emphasised the importance of collaboration with communities, the enhancement of intelligence-led policing and greater synergy within the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster to achieve the necessary prosecutions that will lead to a safer and more secure environment.
 
The Chairperson has also emphasised the importance of discipline and morality among this new cohort of police officers. “It is important that the new recruits remain free of corruption and work towards regaining the trust of communities. If any of the new recruits or any police officer in general is found to be involved in corrupt or any illegal activity, they must be prosecuted and removed from the service. A greater sense of service must be inherent in all the new recruits,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
 
Furthermore, the Chairperson highlighted that the increase in the arrests of corrupt police officials should serve as a warning to the new recruits that they will face the same fate if they engage in corrupt and unethical activities.
 
The committee has reemphasised its advocacy for more resources to capacitate the SAPS to deliver on its mandate, especially the detective and intelligence services within the SAPS. “A capacitated SAPS is good for the safety and security of the country. It is also important to create a conducive environment to enable tourism and business to flourish,” Mr Cameron emphasised.        
 
As the new recruits enter the service, the Chairperson also called on the SAPS management to invest in police wellness to ensure that the police are able to cope with the stressful environment they will be operating in. “It is critical that wellness processes are enhanced for the new recruits to function optimally. As a committee, we have emphasised the need for stronger wellness programmes, as it will ensure a police service that is psychologically ready to fight crime,” Mr Cameron emphasised.
 
Meanwhile, the committee remains of the view that there is a need for a thorough skills audit, especially targeting the senior ranks within the SAPS to ensure that there is adequate capacity to drive the strategic objectives of the institution. “Without the right leadership, these recruits will not make the necessary impact in the fight against crime. Extensive analysis of the capacity at the top echelons of the SAPS is a critical element the committee will examine,” Mr Cameron concluded.   

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron