Community Safety
- How many of the 7000 police officers that left the South African Police Service in 2014/15 were officers serving in the Western Cape;
- whether former or retired officers have been or will be re-enlisted; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what measures are in place to address the vacancies and shortage of officers in the province?
The South African Police Service informed me as follows:
(1) 770
(2) The National Commissioner has approved the advertising of posts for the re-enlistment of former members. The following details are stated in the advertisement.
Former member of all ranks, who comply with the requirements, may apply to be considered for re-enlistment. Former members will be appointed in the ranks of Constables, Sergeant, Warrant Officer and Lieutenant.
These posts have been advertised in the mainstream newspaper on 2015-05-31 with the closing date on 2015-06-15. Former members who left the service under the following circumstances will not be considered for re-enlistment: members who have reached retirement age (early retirement or compulsory retirement age), members who cannot render 10 years pensionable service before reaching the retirement age of 60 years, members who have been dishonourably discharged or dismissed, members who have left the Service pending the completion of a disciplinary enquiry and/ or criminal proceedings, members who have left the Service due to ill health or retirement as a result of a medical boarding and members who left the Service more that 10 (ten) years ago.
Former members must comply with the following requirements: - Have been appointed as a member of the South African Police Service in terms of the Police Service Act, 1995; have successfully completed basic police training and relevant functional police training courses, where applicable, have a good disciplinary and attendance record during their former employment in the South African Police Service; be in possession of at least a Grade 12 (Senior Certificate) or higher qualifications; have at least a valid light motor vehicle license (code B); be a South African citizen of which documentary proof must be furnished; be proficient in at least two of the official languages, of which one must be English; submit himself or herself to a medical examination as determined by the National Commissioner; undergo a psychological assessment as determined by the National Commissioner and be found to comply with the profile of a police official; not have any tattoo marks of which will be visible when wearing a uniform and not be irreconcilable with the objectives of the Service; have no previous criminal convictions, and/ or pending criminal, disciplinary cases and such person shall allow his or her fingerprints to be taken and allow background enquiries to be made; not have been declared unfit to possess a firearm; be prepared to be deployed based on the needs of the Service which may include having to relocate at one’s own expense and or to accept a post away from one’s current place of residence that could result in reasonable travelling; not be involved in any business or activity that will be in conflict of interest with the integrity of the Service and be willing to undergo a refresher course or any other training as determined by the National Commissioner.
(3) Personnel shortages are addressed through the employment of various human resource processes and on a continuous basis which includes, but is not limited to, community based recruitment which depends on the commitment of the local community to assist in this endeavour; the appointment of Public Service Act personnel in support functions; appointment and promotion processes; transfers into the province; interdepartmental transfer to the South African Police Service and the current re-enlistment strategy to re-appoint former members.
