Any person wanting to become a police reservist must be aware that a reservist is a member of the community that performs part time (at least sixteen (16) hours per month) policing functions or activities for the South African Police Service on a voluntary basis without being remunerated for such services.
You could decide to become a reservist in one of the following categories:
- Category A Reservist: Functional Policing:
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- perform functions in all operational facets of policing either at stations, area or provincial level, but excluding specialised functional duties
- may wear a uniform
- will be trained in relevant aspects of functional policing.
- Category B Reservist: Support Services:
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- perform specific support functions in an administrative capacity at national, provincial, area or station level and may not be utilised to perform functional policing functions
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do not wear uniform
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where necessary, be trained in relevant legal aspects, policy and instructions applicable to the specific functions.
- Category C Reservist: Specialised functional policing:
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- must be a person who has particular skills or expertise which can be utilised operationally by the service e.g:
- pilots
- doctors
- divers
- social workers
- psychologists.
- shall perform specific functions in the field of expertise
- may, with the approval of a commander, wear a uniform
- must be trained in relevant legal aspects, policy and instructions applicable to a specific function, and for such periods as may be determined by the National or Provincial Commissioner concerned.
- must be a person who has particular skills or expertise which can be utilised operationally by the service e.g:
- Category D Reservist: Rural and urban sector policing:
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- perform functions in operational facets of policing related to sector policing in urban and rural in a specific sector at station level or will only perform duties in specified areas within a specific sector as determined by the commander
- may wear a uniform depending on utilisation
- must be trained in relevant aspects of sector policing and or functional policing relating to the duties depending on area of utilisation. Additional training will be required if involved in sector policing functional operations.
A reservist appointed to one category may be transferred to any other category if complying with all the requirements for the specific category and has undergone or is willing to undergo the required training for that category.
According to the regulations for South African Reserve Police Service it is required to have:
- permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa
- you must:
- at least be 18 years and under 70 years of age
- complete a health questionnaire as determined by the National Commissioner
- be free of any mental defect, disease or infirmity which may interfere with the proper execution of your duties
- be of good character, for which positive background enquiries must be obtained
- successfully complete psychometric tests/assessment as may be determined by the National Commissioner
- be in possession of at least a senior certificate or equivalent qualifications of which documentary proof must be furnished
- be able to speak, read and write at least English as one of the official languages
- allow your fingerprints to be taken and has not been found guilty of an offence or is not under prosecution of an offence
- be prepared to undergo such training as may be determined and
- to take the oath of office.
- no visible tattoos
- possessing a driver’s license is a recommendation but not a prerequisite for reservist.