WHAT IS A RESERVIST?

A reservist is a member of the community, who VOLUNTEERS their services to perform policing functions or activities for the South African Police Service without being remunerated for such services.

WHO MAY BECOME RESERVISTS?

Any member of the community may become a police reservists who has a passion to make a difference at community level in turning the tide against crime on condition that you comply with the following; -

Are you-

• a permanent resident in South Africa;
• not younger that 18 years or older than 70 years of age;
• free of any mental, physical defect or visible tattoos when wearing uniform;
• in possession of a senior certificate or equivalent qualification;
• in possession of a drivers licence although not a prerequisite;
• able to speak, read and write English and one other language;
• free of any criminal offence;
• prepared to undergo training;
• prepared to complete a psychometric test;
• prepared to complete a medical questionnaire
• prepared to take the oath of office; and of a good character?

Then YOU DO have what it takes to become a reservist!

WHO CANNOT BE APPOINTED AS A RESERVIST OR CAN ONLY BE APPOINTED IF HE/SHE COMPLIES WITH CERTAIN CONDITIONS?

• a person who has been discharged as medically unfit from a previous employer: Provided that such a person may be appointed as a Category B reservist;
• a former member of the Service whose application for re-enlistment was rejected due to negative considerations;
• a member of the Regular Force of the South African National Defence Force referred to in section 52 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No. 42 of 2002);
• a person in a key position as determined by the Department of Labour;
• a person who holds any post or office in a political party, organisation, movement or body;
• a person who is actively involved in politics or who is an outspoken supporter of a political party and who may violate the non-partisan nature of the Service;
• a full-time journalist;
• a person who does not have a fixed residential address;
• a scholar;
• a security officer or guard or a person attached to a private security organisation (whether as director, partner or employee);
• a member of a municipal police service (including a local law enforcement officer); a sheriff or deputy sheriff.

The following persons may, subject to the condition or conditions stated in each case be appointed as reservists:

• an official or employee of Transnet, with the written approval of his or her head of department;
• a member of the Department of Correctional Services -
  • if his or her duties as reservist will not interfere with his or her normal work activities;
  • if the interests of the Department of Correctional Services will at all times be served first; and
  • may not be called-up in terms of regulation 5 of the Regulations without the permission of the Department of Correctional Services;
• Public Service Act personnel employed by the Service, if they perform their duties as reservists outside their normal working hours;
• an employee of a municipality including a member of the emergency services —
  • if his or her duties as reservist will not interfere with his or her normal work activities;
  • if the interests of the municipality will at all times be served first; and
  • may not be called up in terms of regulation 5 of the Regulations without the permission of the said municipality; and
• a reserve member of the South African National Defence Force -
  • if his or her duties as reservist will not interfere with his or her normal work activities;
  • if the interests of the South African National Defence Force will at all times be served first; and
  • may not be called-up in terms of regulation 5 of the Regulations without the permission of the South African National Defence Force

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO BECOME A RESERVIST

STEP 1

Go to your nearest police station.

STEP 2

Request to speak to the Head Reservist / SAPS Coordinator / Client Service Centre Commander responsible fo reservists at the specific police station.

STEP 3

Complete the forms provided by the Reservist Coordinator.

Familiarise yourself with the forms needed to apply:-

• Application for appointment as member of the Reserve Police Service (Selection report), SAPS 93;
• Health questionnaire, (SAPS 93(a));
• Personal Particulars of member of the Reserve Police Service, (SAPS 93(c));
• Undertaking at appointment in the South African Reserve Police Service, (SAPS 93(e));
• Fingerprint enquiry form, (SAPS 91(a));
• Security questionnaire, Z204: Where an applicant is not a South African citizen; and
• Letter of consent from the parent or guardian if the you are below the age of 21 years

If you wish to become a Reserve Air Wing or Mounted Unit Reserve an additional indemnity form (SAPS 93(f)) and SAPS 93(g)) must also be completed.

STEP 4

You should then attach certified copies of your identity document, drivers licence and academic qualifications to the application form and submit the documentation to the Reservist Coordinator.

STEP 5

The following additional forms will be completed by the Head/ Reservist or SAPS Co-ordinator that assist you in completing the application forms;

• Selection report, (SAPS 93)
• Confidentiality enquiry form (SAPS 93(b)) after telephonic enquiries regarding your suitability to be appointed as a reservist was made.

STEP 6

Await for the approval of your application. The Oath of Office, SAPS 95 will be completed after your application was successful and you are then sworn in as a reservist member of the South African Police Service.

To top of page

All successful candidates will be contacted and a Temporary Appointment Certificate: (SAPS 93(i)) will be issued and your training will commence shortly thereafter. You will then be addressed as a Student Police Reservist.

An official appointment certificate and a free police uniform will be issued to your ONLY after you have successfully completed a 6 (six) month reservist training programme. No functional duties will be performed by you prior to this training. 

WHAT ABOUT THE POLICE UNIFORM?

As a Student Police Reservist, you will receive a full police uniform only after having successfully completed the training.

It is important to note that there are no insignia to distinguish between a permanent member’s uniform and those of a reservist.

Reservist should therefore at all times project a positive image of the South African Police Service.

Uniforms and equipment may only be worn by a reservist while on duty. If a reservist makes un-authorised use of the police uniform disciplinary steps will be taken immediately against the reservist.

The police uniforms are annually issued free of charge to reservists.

WHERE WILL YOU WORK?

When on duty a reservist also perform his/her duties as defined in Section 205 of the Constitution as permanent members, namely;

• To prevent, combat and investigate crime
• To maintain public order
• To protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property; and
• To uphold and enforce the law

These duties include charge office duties, attending to complaints, manning patrol vehicles, foot and vehicle patrols, crime prevention operations and guarding key points. Reservists can also be used in support of the detectives if qualified and properly trained.

A reservist is expected to render at least 16 hours physical service per month, to attend the necessary training courses and to attend station meetings once per month. It will also be expected that reservist comply with all regulations and instructions which apply to police officials and members of the South African Reserve Police Service.

To top of page

Reservists attend Introduction, Orientation and Basic Training for South African Police Service members during periods as determined. Training is presented over a period of between three to six month depending on the category of appointment, including the practical phase which is usually presented by means of in-service training.

During the training period reservists work in the Community Service Centre as part of their in-service training. At the end of the training period reservists will be posted to vehicles or conduct patrols within their specific community, or other duties as determined by the commander.

Firearm training is included in the training programme and no reservists will be allowed to perform functions with a firearm if this module was not successfully completed.

Additional training such as training in Domestic Violence, Victim Support, Sector Policing, Tactical Policing, etc could also be presented, depending on the area of utilization.

WHAT POWERS WILL RESERVISTS HAVE?

Reservists have similar powers as permanent police officials while they perform their duties as reservists.

CAN YOU BE RE-APPOINTED AS A RESERVIST?

A person who previously served as a reservist in the South African Police Service may be re-enlisted, provided that he or she still meets the requirements. However, it will be required that you undergo a refresher course, if necessary.

A former reservist whose application for re-enlistment has been approved, may be appointed in the rank he or she held at the time he or she left the SAPS. The final decision about the rank to which he or she will be re-enlisted, remains with the relevant provincial or divisional commissioner.

AT WHAT RANK WILL YOU BE APPOINTED?

You will be appointed as a constable. Promotion to a higher rank is subject to the provisions or any other conditions, or exceptions, that the National Commissioner may determine. A reservist ,may, however, not hold a rank above hat of the commander under whose command he or she is serving.

FORMS AND REGISTERS

• Application for appointment as member of the Reserve Police Service (Selection report), SAPS 93
• Health questionnaire, (SAPS 93(a))
• Personal and Confidential enquiries, (SAPS 93(b))
• Personal Particulars of member of the Reserve Police Service, (SAPS 93 (c))
• Appointment as member of the South African Reserve Police Service (SAPS 93(d))
• Undertaking at appointment in the South African Reserve Police Service, (SAPS 93(e))
• Indemnity (reservists attached to the Air Wing) (SAPS 93(f))
• Indemnity (reservists/ attached to Mounted Unit) (SAPS 93(g))
• Application for voluntary resignation/ Notice of discharge: South African Reserve Police Service (SAPS 93 (h))
• Temporary Appointment Certificate: Reserve Police Service (SAPS 93(i))
• Fingerprint Form - Enquiry (SAPS 91(a))
• Oath of Office (SAPS 95)
• Application for payment of salary into bank or building society account (SAPS 432)
• Dependents Information and Gratuity to Beneficiary Forms (Death Grant)