South African Police Service

How to apply for SAPS jobs (police trainee and civilian)

SAPS recruits ~5,500 police trainees a year plus civilian roles in HR, finance, IT, 10111 and the Forensic Science Laboratory. Here's exactly how to apply and what the selection looks like.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open SAPS careers
Careers hub
saps.gov.za/careers
Portal
erecruitment.saps.gov.za
Trainee age
18-35
Training duration
24 months
Anti-corruption
0800 701 701
Crime Stop
08600 10111

Who can join SAPS as a trainee

  • South African citizen with a valid SA ID (no dual citizens for some streams)
  • Aged 18-35 at the closing date (raised from 30 to 35 in 2023)
  • Senior Certificate (Grade 12 / Matric) with English and one other official SA language
  • Fluent in English plus at least one other official SA language
  • No previous criminal convictions and no pending criminal or departmental cases
  • Medically and psychologically fit (BMI within healthy range, no disqualifying chronic conditions)
  • Pass the SAPS PEAT (Physical Entrance Assessment Test)
  • No visible tattoos when wearing the SAPS summer uniform (face, neck, hands, forearms disqualifying)
  • No prohibited body modifications (stretched ear lobes, brandings)
  • Driver's licence is often an advantage and required for specialised streams

What you'll need to apply

  • Completed Z83 (DPSA Application for Employment form, 2021 version)
  • Detailed CV
  • Certified copy of SA ID (within last 3 months)
  • Certified copy of Matric / Senior Certificate plus any tertiary qualifications
  • Certified copy of driver's licence (if held)
  • Completed SAPS 538 (background / personal history) including a testimonial from a non-family member
  • Proof of residence
  • Medical certificate where requested
  • Recent passport-size photos

Step by step

  1. Watch for the next BPDLP advert

    The Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) is advertised annually, usually mid-year for the following year's intake. The 2025/26 cycle opened June 2025 and closed 18 July 2025. Monitor saps.gov.za/careers, the Government Gazette, and SAPS social media for the next opening.

  2. Register on the SAPS e-Recruitment portal

    Create an account at erecruitment.saps.gov.za with email, username, password and captcha. This is increasingly the only route for civilian posts and trainee intakes.

  3. Download all the forms

    You need the Z83 (from dpsa.gov.za), the SAPS 91(a) (medical/fingerprint enquiry), and the SAPS 538 (background questionnaire). The SAPS 538 requires a testimonial from a non-family member plus details on your spouse or partner if applicable.

  4. Get all copies certified

    ID, Matric, qualifications, driver's licence - all need to be certified by a Commissioner of Oaths within the last 3 months. SAPS stations and the Post Office certify for free.
    Tip: Get extra certified copies while you're there - you'll need them again at the next stage if shortlisted.

  5. Complete forms in your own handwriting

    For paper submissions, SAPS requires forms to be completed in your own handwriting. Print neatly in black ink, don't use Tipp-Ex, and don't leave any field blank - write N/A if it doesn't apply.

  6. Submit before the deadline

    Upload PDFs to the e-Recruitment portal or hand-deliver to the nearest police station or recruitment office, depending on the advert. Late, faxed or emailed applications are not accepted. Save your acknowledgement reference.

SAPS-specific forms explained

Z83
The standard DPSA Application for Employment form, mandatory for all SAPS and public service vacancies. Download from dpsa.gov.za and complete every section.
SAPS 91(a)
Fingerprint and medical enquiry form. Usually completed by a SAPS official at a fingerprint desk, not by the applicant alone.
SAPS 538
Personal history and background questionnaire. Requires disclosure of relatives, references, and a testimonial from a non-family member. Lying on the SAPS 538 is automatic disqualification - SAPS does verify.

The selection process - step by step

  1. Online or paper application submitted
  2. Shortlisting against minimum criteria
  3. PEAT (Physical Entrance Assessment Test) - typically a 2.4 km run (males ~12 min, females ~14 min), push-ups, sit-ups, and shuttle/beep test
  4. Integrity and lifestyle audit (polygraph for specialised streams)
  5. Psychometric assessment
  6. Medical examination (BMI, vision, hearing, chronic conditions)
  7. Fingerprint vetting and criminal record check via the SAPS Criminal Record Centre
  8. Background and neighbourhood reference checks
  9. Assessment centre or panel interview
  10. Final selection
  11. Basic Police Development Learning Programme - 24 months total (~10-12 months academy plus ~12 months workplace)

Stipend and salary

Per the official SAPS BPDLP page:

  • Phase 1 (Academy): R3,175/month plus free meals and accommodation
  • Phase 2 & 3 (Workplace): R7,275/month
  • Post-appointment as permanent Constable: R10,307/month basic (before allowances)

Third-party sites often quote a flat R4,500 - this conflates the phases and is not accurate.

SAPS training academies

Nine accredited academies across four provinces:

  • SAPS Academy Tshwane (Pretoria)
  • Hammanskraal Academy
  • Bishop Lavis Academy (Cape Town)
  • Philippi Academy (Cape Town)
  • Chatsworth Academy (KZN)
  • Bhisho Academy (Eastern Cape)
  • Graaff-Reinet Academy
  • Oudtshoorn Academy

You'll be assigned to an academy after selection - you don't choose.

Other SAPS career streams

  • SAPS Graduate Recruitment Scheme / SASSETA Internship - 24-month Workplace Integrated Learning programme for tertiary-qualified graduates
  • Civilian / Public Service Act posts - HR, finance, supply chain, IT, legal. Listed in the weekly DPSA Public Service Vacancy Circular
  • 10111 Emergency Communications Centre operators - civilian roles, expanding cadre
  • Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) - Analyst positions in Pretoria, KZN, Eastern Cape, Western Cape
  • Specialised units - Detective Service, Crime Intelligence, K9, Public Order Policing, Hawks (DPCI). Usually recruited internally after constable service
  • SAPS Reservists - unpaid volunteer service, minimum 16 hours per month, recruited through local stations

Common reasons SAPS applications get rejected

  • Visible tattoos on face, neck, hands or forearms
  • Any criminal conviction or pending case
  • Failing the PEAT fitness test
  • BMI or waist measurement outside accepted range
  • Misrepresentation on the SAPS 538 (especially undisclosed family criminal history)
  • Failed psychometric, integrity or polygraph
  • Incomplete documentation, uncertified copies, or missing Z83 fields
  • Late submission

Spotting SAPS recruitment scams

Africa Check, SETA-SA, and SAPS itself have flagged a surge in fake "SAPS 5,500 trainees 2026" adverts on Facebook and WhatsApp. Common patterns:

  • Fee demands of R350, R2,500 or R5,000 to "process" or "guarantee" applications - SAPS never charges any fee
  • Instructions to "inbox" a Facebook page or click a comment link
  • Third-party "agents" offering to apply on your behalf
  • Spoofed PDFs and SAPS logos

Trust only: saps.gov.za, erecruitment.saps.gov.za, dpsa.gov.za, the official @SAPoliceService verified social accounts, and the Government Gazette.

Frequently asked questions

How do I apply for SAPS jobs?
For trainees: watch saps.gov.za/careers and Government Gazette for the next BPDLP advert. Register on erecruitment.saps.gov.za, download the Z83 and SAPS 538, certify your documents, and submit before the closing date.
How old must you be to join SAPS?
18 to 35 at the closing date. The age limit was raised from 30 to 35 in 2023 to widen the recruitment pool. The older application-process page on saps.gov.za still says 18-30 - the press releases and recent adverts say 18-35.
How much does a SAPS trainee earn?
R3,175/month during Phase 1 (academy) with free meals and accommodation, R7,275/month during Phase 2 and 3 (workplace), and R10,307/month basic as a permanent Constable (before allowances).
How long is SAPS training?
24 months total: approximately 10-12 months at an academy plus 12 months of workplace training, ending in appointment as a permanent Constable.
Can I join SAPS with a tattoo?
Tattoos that are visible in the SAPS summer uniform - face, neck, hands, forearms - are disqualifying. Tattoos on the chest, back, shoulders, upper arms, thighs and other covered areas are fine. The policy was challenged in 2023 but SAPS confirmed it would not relax it.
What is the SAPS 538 form?
A personal history and background questionnaire SAPS requires from every applicant. It asks about relatives, references and your spouse or partner if applicable, and requires a testimonial from a non-family member. Lying on the SAPS 538 is grounds for automatic disqualification.
When does SAPS recruitment open for 2026?
The BPDLP runs on an annual cycle, usually advertised mid-year for the following year's intake. The 2025/26 cycle opened June 2025 and closed 18 July 2025. Watch saps.gov.za/careers and the Government Gazette for the next opening.
Is the SAPS 5,500 trainee advert real?
The annual BPDLP intake does target around 5,500 trainees, but many WhatsApp and Facebook posts claiming "SAPS hiring R5,500/month, apply for a R350 fee" are scams. Only trust adverts on saps.gov.za and erecruitment.saps.gov.za.
Can foreigners apply to SAPS?
No. SAPS recruitment is restricted to South African citizens.

Related guides

Z83 form 2026

The DPSA Z83 is mandatory for every SAPS application.

Testimonial letter for a job (with SAPS template)

Includes a template specifically for the SAPS 538 testimonial requirement.

How to apply for Transnet jobs

Another major SA state-owned employer with structured graduate routes.

DPSA circular guide

Every 2026 release date and how to apply for government posts.

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.