Non-Commissioned Police Official

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare the learner to operate as a Non-Commissioned Police Official. A Non-Commissioned Police Official is capable of using a series of legal and policing skills to protect and serve members of communities in accordance with the Constitution of South Africa. They provide an effective service that will improve community satisfaction and position them to fulfil their mission of creating a safe and secure environment for all people in South Africa. A qualified learner will be able to: • Apply the principles of operation and service delivery within a client service centre in a policing environment. • Evaluate policing principles and their application in relation to crime prevention and detection. • Evaluate situations and select the tactical techniques and skills needed to execute policing duties and maintain safety of self and others. • Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation by gathering information and evidence, preparing documentation and giving evidence in a court of law.

The South African Constitution determines that it is the responsibility of the South African Police Service to prevent, combat and investigate crime; protect persons and property; and uphold and enforce the law. This represents a key role in the South African law enforcement system. To achieve this, the South African Police Service (SAPS) needs a cadre of Police Officials who have embraced its Code of Conduct and culture of discipline, ethics and service provision and who are combat ready, aware and vigilant during day-to-day duties and set a standard of professionalism. Police officials will provide protection to the public by executing a variety of duties, including patrolling communities, arresting individuals suspected of committing crimes and testifying in court. Police Officials play a central role in the criminal justice system in providing an efficient service to society. They monitor criminal activity, take part in community patrols, respond to emergency calls, make arrests, investigate crimes and so forth. Police officials have the responsibility to establish a trust relationship characterised by confidence and integrity in the communities within which they operate. The aim of the Occupational Certificate: Non-Commissioned Police Official is to inculcate organisational and personal ethics, values and professional conduct to ensure the execution of crime prevention and detection duties through efficient service delivery in the communities. SAPS is one of the largest employers in South Africa and will be the only employer of learners who successfully complete this qualification. Competent learners will be deployed across South Africa at police stations in rural and urban areas. Competent learners will be employed as constables for a specified probation period and authorised to maintain the peace, safety and order of the community. Learners who wish to further their education will have a number of options. They will be able to pursue learning programmes (lateral progression) by specialising in aspects such as detectives, crime prevention or bomb disposal, or follow a route of vertical progression through training as Commissioned Police Officer. Learners will be trained in methods of law enforcement, and crime prevention and detection to maintain the peace, safety and order of the community. They will be trained to apply proportional tactical combat, and defensive and offensive restraining techniques, which are appropriate during arrest, self-defence or a law enforcement situation and will make use of proportionality force decisions that meet legal and public requirements, ensuring safety of self, team and public.

Recognition of Prior Learning: RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of results or certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirements are: • NQF Level 4 with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.

• Balance constitutional and legal rights of individuals with the competence to infringe legally upon those rights in the service of maintaining a safe and secure society.
• Apply the principles of operation, service delivery, ethics and professional conduct within a client service centre in a policing environment to enhance service delivery to the community.
• Evaluate policing principles and the application thereof during the execution of crime prevention and crime detection duties.
• Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation as first responder to a crime scene by gathering information and securing evidence.
• Evaluate situations and select tactical techniques and skills such as use of force, restraining techniques and safe use of firearms required to execute policing duties and maintain safety of self, the team and others.