Why SAPS introduced tough tests for 2025 applicants
It’s no longer easy to get into SAPS—here’s why the tests are tougher in 2025. Footage by Wesley Fester/ Getty Images)
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched its 2025/2026 e-recruitment campaign, calling on young men and women across the country to apply for police trainee positions. But this time, the recruitment process is significantly more demanding than in previous years.
While the application may be submitted online, the real challenge begins after that—a rigorous selection process aimed at screening out unfit, unprepared, or unsuitable candidates. The changes reflect a broader attempt by SAPS to restore professionalism, public confidence, and operational effectiveness in one of South Africa’s most scrutinised institutions.
Recent reports, including internal audits and public complaints, have exposed concerns about police conduct, lack of discipline, and the inability of some officers to handle complex or high-pressure situations. As a result, SAPS has responded with a clear message: future police officers must meet a higher standard—physically, mentally, and ethically.
What Applicants Now Have to Face
The new process is multi-layered, and every applicant must pass a combination of tests before they can even be considered for training. These include:
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Psychometric Testing: Candidates are assessed on decision-making, emotional stability, cognitive reasoning, and behavioural tendencies. SAPS wants officers who can think clearly and ethically in stressful situations.
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Integrity Assessments: Given ongoing concerns around corruption and abuse of power, this test is meant to identify candidates with strong moral judgment and a proven sense of accountability.
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Physical Fitness Evaluation: Trainees must prove their strength, endurance, agility, and overall physical condition. With the physical demands of police work, this is non-negotiable.
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Vetting and Fingerprint Screening: To maintain the credibility of the service, applicants with criminal records or pending cases are automatically disqualified. The emphasis is on building a force that reflects lawfulness and public trust.
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Medical Examinations: These ensure that all candidates are medically fit—both mentally and physically—to undergo intense training and field duties.
In a statement it said the move is to “ensure that the SAPS enlist disciplined, energetic, intelligent, physically and mentally fit individuals, dedicated to serving their country through policing.”
The cumulative aim of these assessments is to filter out unsuitable applicants early and ensure that only the most capable, ethical, and prepared individuals make it through.
A New Kind of Officer for a New SAPS
These tougher tests signal a shift in how SAPS views its role in society. Beyond traditional enforcement, the service is repositioning itself as a community-oriented, intelligence-driven force. This requires officers who are more than just enforcers—they must be problem-solvers, mediators, investigators, and role models.
While some may see the process as too demanding, SAPS believes it is necessary to meet the evolving challenges of crime, technology, and public accountability.
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As the recruitment window for 2025 continues, it’s clear that getting into SAPS is no longer just about meeting basic requirements. It’s about proving you belong in a system that demands the very best.
To ensure that the SAPS enlist disciplined, energetic, intelligent, physically and mentally fit individuals, dedicated to serving their country through Policing, applicants will be subjected to a rigorous selection process, which entails: psychometric, integrity, physical fitness assessments and fingerprint/vetting screening as well as medical evaluations
