Careers Overview

Careers in the South African Police Service

The South African Police Service (SAPS) falls under the Department of Safety and Security. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 states that the aims of the police service are to prevent, combat and investigate crime; to maintain public order; to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; and to uphold and enforce the law.

The Vision of the SAPS is to create a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa.

The Mission of the SAPS is to prevent anything that may threaten the safety or security of any community; to investigate any crimes that threaten the safety or security of any community; to ensure criminals are brought to justice; and to participate in efforts to address the root causes of crime.

The SAPS upholds the following values:

• To protect everyone’s rights.
• To not discriminate against any person.
• To be respectful, open and accountable to the community.
• To use the powers given to us in a responsible way.
• To do our duties with honesty and integrity and to ensure that we deliver a good service.
• To evaluate our service and to do everything we can to improve it.
• To use our resources in the best way possible.
• To develop the skills of all our members by giving them equal opportunities.
• To cooperate with the community, the Government and other role-players.

Careers in the SAPS

The SAPS offers careers in various fields. If you join the SAPS you can either become a police official or a civilian employee. Police officials are employed in terms of the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995). Civilian employees are employed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act No 103 of 1994).

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Most functional police officials are directly involved preventing, combating or investigating crime. Other police officials and civilian personnel carry out support functions at divisions and components of the SAPS such as -

• Logistics;
• National Evaluation Service;
• Career Management;
• Personnel Services;
• Training;
• Legal Services;
• Financial Services;
• Efficiency Services;
• Strategic Management;
• Information and Systems Management; and
• Communication and Liaison Services.

A product of SAPS Communication Planning, Research and Marketing
P/Bag X 94, PRETORIA, 0001. 2004

(Date: 2004-05-31)

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