Police stations do not hire staff at the counter. Every South African Police Service (SAPS) post, whether it is a police official, a civilian support role or a volunteer reservist position, is filled through SAPS’s national recruitment process and advertised through its official careers channels. If someone at a station, on social media or on a job site offers you a SAPS job or a place in police training in exchange for money, treat it as a scam.
The Three Ways to Work at a Police Station
According to the SAPS careers page, you can join SAPS either as a police official or as a civilian employee, and there is a third, unpaid route as a reservist:
- Police officials are employed under the South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995). Most functional police officials are directly involved in preventing, combating or investigating crime.
- Civilian employees are employed under the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act No 103 of 1994). Along with some police officials, they carry out the support functions.
- Reservists are volunteers appointed by the National Commissioner to the Reserve Police Service. SAPS states that reservist duties are voluntary and without any remuneration. See the SAPS reservist page.
Police Trainee Intakes
Entry into the police as a new constable is through a police trainee intake. SAPS lists trainee opportunities on its Police Trainees page, together with a career information booklet and a preparation exercise programme for the physical fitness assessment. When we checked the page in September 2026 it showed no open trainee post, so there is currently no intake to apply for through that page. Check it again before acting on any advert that claims an intake is open.
Civilian Jobs, Internships and Senior Posts
The SAPS careers section groups its other opportunities under E-Recruitment, Senior Management, Internship Programmes and Re-enlistment. Vacancies for civilian posts and internships are published there. Apply only through the channel named in the official advert, and keep a copy of the reference number and closing date.
Looking for cleaning or general work at a police station?
Many people search for cleaning jobs at their local station. SAPS publishes its vacancies through its official careers channels, and we found no official process for applying for station jobs in person. Watch the SAPS careers page rather than handing a CV in at the Community Service Centre, and be wary of anyone who says they can place you in a station job.
Becoming a Police Reservist
SAPS has two categories of reservist:
- Category 1 – Functional Policing: general policing in sectors at station level, duties in the station’s service centre, working under the supervision of a permanent member or an experienced reservist. A uniform is worn only after training has been completed.
- Category 2 – Specialised Operational Support: people with particular skills or expertise that SAPS can use operationally, working in their field of expertise.
The basic enlistment requirements published by SAPS include:
- South African citizen by birth.
- At least 25 but under 40 years of age, with documentary proof.
- A senior certificate (Grade 12) or a SAQA-accredited NQF level 4 qualification.
- Able to speak, read and write at least two official languages, one of which must be English.
- Employed, with proof of employment, and a fixed residential address with proof.
- Medically, mentally and physically fit, of good character, and willing to be vetted and to have fingerprints and a DNA sample taken.
- No criminal record and no pending criminal or departmental cases, and no tattoo that would be visible in uniform.
SAPS also lists people who may not be appointed, including full-time or part-time journalists, scholars, people not in full-time employment, and people involved in industries such as private security, the taxi industry, liquor trading, private investigation, tow-in services and gambling. Read the full list on the SAPS reservist page before applying. Being a reservist does not guarantee a permanent post if you later apply for one.
How to Avoid Fake SAPS Job Adverts
SAPS carries a standing warning on its careers pages about bogus website advertisements for traineeships and vacancies. Protect yourself by following these rules:
- Only trust adverts you can find on the official saps.gov.za careers section.
- Never pay anyone to apply, to be shortlisted, to secure a place in training or to “speed up” an appointment.
- Do not send copies of your ID, qualifications or bank details to a private email address or a WhatsApp number that claims to recruit for SAPS.
- If you have been approached with a paid offer, you can report it anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Read how Crime Stop works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a SAPS job at my local police station?
No. Stations do not run their own recruitment. Use the official SAPS careers channels, and use the station only for services such as certifying the copies of documents an advert asks for.
Do reservists get paid?
No. SAPS states that reservist services are voluntary and without remuneration, although it does provide for compensation if a reservist is injured on duty and loses income as a result.
Can I certify my application documents at a police station?
Yes. Certifying copies is a standard station service. See certified documents for a job application and what to bring to certify documents.