According to the police service, the new training schedule is aimed at a “more proactive policing qualification, which should result in a professional, client-centred service to the citizens of SA”.

According to Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of the SAPS, trainees would receive academic and tactical training as well as experiential learning at police stations close to their training academies.

The new eight-month programme includes an induction month for trainees to familiarise themselves with the station they’re posted at – so they’re actually just getting seven months of training – in order to “enhance trainees’ understanding of police work, and should also improve their learning abilities”.

New recruits would be introduced the “culture of the SAPS, including the acceptable level of discipline required of members”.  Acceptable level of discipline… who decides what is acceptable? The last two disgraced police commissioners?

The obvious aim of this revised training programme is to meet the drastic shortfall in police officers nationwide and is part of the SAPS’ “back-to-basics” approach to policing.

“This has put an emphasis on having a committed, disciplined and professional police service that works in partnership with an active citizenry in the fight against crime.”

5 000 new trainees started their training last week, under the new programme and 3 000 are currently finishing off their one-year field training as part of the old programme.

All 8 000 of the new recruits will be deployed by December 2016…