Abstract:

This study investigates the training management modalities and the attitudes of police officials towards in-service education and training. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to collect relevant data from 369 police officials in three selected provinces in South Africa (Western Cape, Northern Cape and the Free State). The study found that training as staff development tool in the SAPS is not properly managed to the advantage of the service delivery. Similarly, the attitude of police officials towards training in the SAPS is unexpectedly more negative than positive due to some reasons. The result from this study raises more questions than answers, taking into consideration the fact that the powers and functions of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the South African constitutional democracy solely depends on up-to-date, educated and informed police officials. Among other issues, this situation has been found to affect the service delivery capacity, professional policing service and the image of the SAPS in general. Based on the findings, this study recommends some practical steps to ensure more effective training management and improved staff members interest towards in-service training.

Keywords:

Training, education, Police, South Africa.