SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE CANDIDATE OFFICERS COURSE AT MECHANICAL SCHOOL BENONI 1984

ABSTRACT: In South Africa, during the 1970’s and 80’s, the notion of the police officer being unskilled had to be addressed. This was also being done at the time, internationally, in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America where initiatives were specifically developed and implemented to uplift the police officer to a more respected role in society, to one of a ‘professional’.

These practices and learnings soon spilled over and was endorsed for implementation in South Africa. Professionalising the police force, would make the police more skilled and effective in fighting crime and in so doing improving public perceptions.

Whilst the first Indian commissioned officers were promoted in the 1970’s after undergoing internal vocational training to equip them for management or supervisory roles, the approach in the 1980’s had evolved to one of promoting more formalistic education with the introduction of formal qualifications, such as the National Diploma-Police Administration.

This Special Edition of NONGQAI is therefore focused on the achievements of the first group of non-commissioned officers of colour, of the South African Police, who were the first to complete the National Diploma (policing) qualifications. These Officers were honoured and praised for their achievements and what followed, was them being selected subsequently to undergo the course for Commissioned Officers – another formative programme, hosted by the South African Police Force. This course was held at first, at the Police Mechanical School in Benoni.

KEYWORDS: South African Police; Candidate Officer Training for non-white members 1984: Mechanical School Benoni;

TO DOWNLOAD THIS SPECIAL EDITION IN .pdf FORMAT,

PLEASE CLICK HERE