Freshly trained police officers graduate
IT WAS a dream come true for newly trained police officers yesterday as nearly 5 000 new recruits joined the ranks of the SAPS countrywide.
In Durban, hundreds of recruits participated in a passing out a parade after completing the police’s Basic Police Development Learning Programme.
The passing out parade took place at Chatsworth Stadium in front of beaming family, friends and members of the public.
Constable Siphamandla Mngoma, 23, from Savanah Park, was among the 4 900 newly trained police officers from several provinces who were officially passed out yesterday.
Mngoma, who once had dreams of becoming an army soldier, was always keen to work for law enforcement.
“Even though I couldn’t pursue my dream of becoming a soldier, I’m grateful that I will still be working for law enforcement.
“Throughout this training my family was very supportive, and they are so proud now that I’m a qualified police officer,” said Mngoma. He added that he was ready to serve the country and was also willing to protect the public and to abide by the law.
He said for them to survive the rigorous police training, one had to be fit, both physically and mentally.
“The training was different for some of us. Some found it tough, while it was easy for others,” said Mngoma.
Similar parades were held at the SAPS Academy Tshwane, the SAPS Academy Bisho, Eastern Cape, the SAPS Academy Philippi, Western Cape, and the SAPS Academy, Chatsworth, Kwa-Zulu-Natal.
The trained police officers were welcomed by the Deputy National Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola.
Masemola said the new police officials would be deployed in various places during the festive season.
“The new police officers will also be deployed in malls, and beaches, with the senior officers to hold their hands,” said Masemola.
“We will make sure that we deploy three police officers in a vehicle so that they will be able to protect themselves.”