GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - A huge group of trainees took part in the passing out parade on 12 December at SAPS Academy Graaff-Reinet. 

The 112 constable trainees have undergone nine months of police training conducted in Graaff-Reinet. Trainees from the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Limpopo have thus far successfully completed the course that will only finish at the end of January.

The functionary was North West Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Sello Kwena, the host was Head of In-Service Police Development Major General Hendrick Chauke and acknowledgements were done by Major General Rudolph Adolph, the District Commander of Chris Hani.

The trainees will continue the course until 20 December and thereafter go on recess. The course will restart on 6 January for the last phase, which is crowd management.

Nationally, more than 2 700 newly trained constables completed their training programmes, and were trained at various police academies such as Bishop Lavis (WC), Ulundi (KZN) and Tshwane (Gauteng).

Out of that number, 245 will be deployed in the Eastern Cape to bolster the Safer Festive Season Operations.

Kwena praised the trainee constables who have undergone the appropriate training for street survival, use of firearms and tactical policing. 

"Over and above all the other learning areas, this street survival knowledge and skills are what you will need at your fingertips in the execution of your duties. Your safety and security is of equal importance as that of the communities we serve. 

"Congratulations on choosing a career that favours devotion to serving and protecting the residents of South Africa. 

After the rigorous training, hard work, and determination that each of you put in, you deserve to be in the SAPS. Congratulations, Constables," Kwena said. 

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