This article examines the development, role, and decline of the South African Police Service (SAPS) reservist programme from the 1970s to 2026. Historically, the reservist corps made a significant contribution to visible policing, crime prevention, and community involvement, comprising volunteers from diverse sectors of society. Following the recommendations of the De Witt Commission, community policing was strengthened, further emphasizing the role of reservists, particularly during the early 2000s when the programme reached its peak.

Since around 2010, however, the programme has experienced a sharp decline due to policy changes, administrative obstacles, the suspension of recruitment and training, and uncertainty surrounding the role of reservists. Findings from the Pikoli investigation confirmed this trend, highlighting a drastic reduction in reservist numbers, with negative implications for policing capacity and visibility.

Although the reservist programme still formally exists, it is not optimally utilized in a context of high crime levels and limited police resources. The article argues that this decline can largely be attributed to a lack of strategic leadership and the loss of institutional memory. It concludes that rebuilding the reservist corps should be treated as a strategic priority to strengthen policing capacity and improve the relationship between the SAPS and the communities it serves.