GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — On February 13, 1989, the SA Police Academy in Graaff-Reinet came into being by means of a Special Force Order by the then Minister of Law and Order, Adriaan Vlok.
The Academy's purpose was to offer approved members of the Force the opportunity to receive personal tuition on a full-time basis to supplement the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) BA (Pol) degree.
On May 17, 1991, the Academy was officially opened with pomp and ceremony under the leadership of the first Commanding Officer, Brigadier Koos Calitz and the first Rector, General Johan Coetzee.
Shortly afterwards, another milestone was reached when an agreement was signed between the SA Police and UNISA, which paved the way for the only academy of its kind South of the Sahara - a Police Academy which - at the same time - served as a University with full and equal status, where members of the police could obtain the degree BA Police Science.
The first full-time first year students (a total of 86) commenced their academic training in February 1992. Because not everybody could be accommodated, candidates were subject to strict selection.
The Academy functioned in full affiliation with UNISA, therefore students at the Academy were also registered students at UNISA, but with the added privilege of studying full-time.
During its existence as a University, a total of 228 students completed their BA (Pol) degrees successfully with the first graduation ceremony on April 8, 1995, and the last on April 23, 1998.
This year, on April 3, 2017, the Academy made history again when 102 BA Police Science Degree students from all over the country reported from Paarl Academy where they started their degree in 2015. These Second Year and Third Year students are being accommodated in the newly renovated Morning Star building.
The first examination will be conducted in May this year.
The current Commander of the SAPS Academy Graaff-Reinet, Colonel Ratsela Johannes Tala was also one of the first full-time students who graduated in 1996 as well as the Training Manager, Lt Colonel Tyrus Jenneke.
The current Learner Affairs Manager, Lt Colonel Alicia Adams, graduated in 1998.
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