Police Minister Bheki Cele has congratulated the police trainee graduates and encouraged them to prioritize providing a quality service to the South African public above anything else.
The Minister made the remarks during a parade of 495 trainees who had successfully completed the Introductory Police Learning Development Programme (IPLDP) at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Academy in Mthatha on Friday.
Three different parades were held in total; one at the SAPS Academy in Mthatha and another at the SAPS Academy All Saints and the third was at the SAPS Academy Thabazimbi in Limpopo.
The SAPS said the 495 newly trained police officers are the first batch of 10 000 members that will be deployed as fully-fledged constables to stations, units and all SAPS service points to ensure more boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility.
Cele urged the trainees to abide by the police code of conduct, asking them not to deviate from their duties and to stay in their lane.
“Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the trainees who have been recognised by academy commanders as having performed well in the areas of street survival law, physical training and drill.
“Rest assured that the ministry and SAPS management recognizes and appreciates that your standing here has come as a result of mental, physical and spiritual hard work. So walk and hold your head up,” he said.
The Minister noted that the trainees were the best group of people that could possibly be selected for the programme.
