The police have launched a nationwide online recruitment drive calling on 5 500 young South Africans to join its ranks as police trainees for the 2026/2027 financial year.
Applications opened on Wednesday 21 October and close on Friday 13 November. The drive targets South Africans aged 18 to under 35 who have no criminal records or pending criminal cases.
Colonel Amanda van Wyk, spokesperson, says the police are looking for young, patriotic and service-driven people ready to make a difference. “Are you ready to make a difference, serve your country and be part of the fight against crime? The police are calling on 5 500 young South Africans under 35 to step forward, embrace the challenge and join the men and women in blue as police trainees,” says Van Wyk.
Apply online
Prospective applicants must apply via the official police eRecruitment portal at www.erecruitment.saps.gov.za. The online process, introduced in 2025, replaces paper-based applications and makes it easier for young people from all walks of life to apply.
Applicants create a profile on the portal and verify their accounts using a code sent to their email addresses. Once verified, they can follow the step-by-step process to apply for available trainee posts. A QR code providing direct access to the portal will also be shared on the police’s official social media platforms.
Specialised career pathways
The police are not only looking for recruits to fill uniforms — it wants young people who can bring knowledge, skills and fresh perspectives to the fight against crime.
Van Wyk says graduates in Law, Policing, Criminology, Law Enforcement, Forensic Investigation and Information Technology may be considered for placement in specialised units, including the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, Detective and Forensic Services, and Crime Intelligence.
The targeted recruitment process will also identify suitably qualified young people from underrepresented racial groups who meet the prescribed requirements.
Rigorous selection
Every applicant will undergo a rigorous selection process, including fitness, psychometric and integrity testing, a medical evaluation and an interview. These assessments are designed to ensure that those selected possess the physical fitness, mental resilience, discipline and integrity required to serve and protect.
Successful recruits who hold a relevant NQF Level 6 or higher qualification will undergo six months of training at a police training academy, while those without such qualifications will complete the standard nine-month programme. All police trainees will receive a monthly stipend of R5 000 during their training.
Free of charge
It is emphasised that applications are free of charge and that no police trainee position is for sale.
“Applicants must remain vigilant against fraudsters who may demand money in exchange for employment or promise to influence the recruitment process.
“Joining the police is more than choosing a career. It is choosing to stand against crime, protect vulnerable people, support communities and contribute to a safer future for all South Africans,” says Van Wyk.
ALSO READ: SAPS addresses claims of racial bias in police recruitment process
