Subjects Needed to Become a Police Officer

Subjects Needed to Become a Police Officer in South Africa

Ok, on this page, we will guide you thoroughly on what subjects are needed in order to become a Police Officer in South Africa.

Do you know that between 2003 and 2012, SAPS recruited 123,606 new police officers? However, this large-scale recruitment of police staff has been, amongst others, the cause of the decline in the quality of policing in South Africa. It is unfortunate that, many unemployed youth see being a Police Officer as a last last attainable option to get a formal job. The rush to meet recruitment targets in the SAPS, leads to a lack of proper training and vetting​.

So, when you are trying to find out what subjects are needed to become a Police Officer, please do this out of your interest for the job, so that you can serve our nation with pride and honesty.

Subjects Needed to Become a Police Officer in South Africa

In order to become a Police Officer in South Africa, you don’t need specific Grade 10 -12 subject combination. However, you do need a completed Grade 12 NSC Certificate. This is one of those general fields where requirements are not merely fixed to academic performance, but rather physical abilities and personality.

That being said, there are subjects that can make you a more suitable candidate towards becoming a Police Officer, due to the knowledge and skills they develop in learners.

Here are the subjects recommended:

• Mathematics Grade 10 -12 – problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and attention to detail, which are all important for crime investigations.
• Physical Education Grade 10 -12 – increases your physical fitness and health, which are important criteria for selection for Police Officer Recruitment Programme.
• Languages Grade 10 -12 – language subjects make you more fluent in multiple languages, which is a big advantage, considering that South Africa has 11 official languages.
• History Grade 10 -12 – from history subject, learners can gain so much knowledge in terms of the historical injustice events and cases throughout centuries.

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Police Office Training Process

Considering that you have your Grade 12 Certificate, you can apply for your next SAPS Recruitment Programme Here.

SAPS training centres in South Africa

1. SAPS Academy: Paarl
2. SAPS Academy: Bishops Lavis 
3. SAPS Academy: Tshwane/Pretoria 
4. SAPS Academy: Phillipi
5. SAPS Academy: Chatsworth
6. SAPS Academy: Outdshoorn
7. Tshwane Metro Police Department Academy 
8. Addo Police Academy 
9. DAM School of Policing 
10. SAPS Academy: Benoni