Johannesburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has defended its latest recruitment process after concerns on social media that the new cohort of police recruits consists almost exclusively of African applicants.
SAPS said the racial composition of the recruits reflected the demographics of the applicant pool rather than an attempt to exclude White, Indian or Coloured applicants.
For the latest recruitment drive, SAPS received 1,049,998 applications, including 1,079 from White applicants, 3,047 from Indian applicants and 53,797 from Coloured applicants. The overwhelming majority of applications were from African applicants.
The police service said preference was given to applicants with valid driver’s licences because of the operational demands of policing.
Among applicants with driver’s licences who were prioritised, 556 were White, 1,722 were Indian, 11,743 were Coloured and 291,591 were African.
“All shortlisted candidates were subjected to psychometric and physical fitness assessments,” SAPS said.
The selection process also included interviews, medical assessments, drug testing, fingerprint verification, criminal record and reference checks, as well as other prescribed assessments.
Provincial Recruitment Boards subsequently assessed the candidates and made recommendations for the final recruitment lists. SAPS said the boards include community representatives, including members of Community Policing Forums, and are chaired by provincial commissioners or their representatives.
SAPS acknowledged that African applicants were “significantly more represented in the applicant pool”, which it said naturally affected the racial composition of the final cohort.
The service said it would intensify efforts to attract applicants from underrepresented communities.
“SAPS continues to encourage greater participation from White, Indian and Coloured communities,” the statement said.
The objective
The police service said it would conduct targeted outreach initiatives, including recruitment roadshows and community-based engagements, to provide potential applicants with information about the requirements and recruitment process.
“The objective is not simply to recruit more people, but to attract suitable, competent and diverse candidates from across South Africa who are willing to serve and protect their communities,” SAPS said.
The recruitment drive is also aimed at helping address youth unemployment while strengthening the police service’s capacity.
SAPS said it remained committed to a “fair, transparent and inclusive recruitment process” while maintaining standards relating to competence, fitness, integrity and suitability.
The service has urged young people from all racial groups to monitor future recruitment advertisements and consider careers in policing.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
