There is no single set of metro police requirements. Each metropolitan municipality recruits for its own metro police service, on its own timetable. The most recent published example is the City of Johannesburg’s 2025 trainee Metropolitan Police Officer bulletin (STC 014/2025, closed 8 July 2025), which asked for South African citizenship, Grade 12, a Code B driver’s licence, an age of 18 to 35 and a clean criminal record.
Metro police are municipal, not national: they focus on crime prevention, traffic policing and by-law enforcement. Trainee intakes and posts for already-qualified officers have different requirements, so check which one an advertisement is for. The figures below come from specific adverts and may change at the next intake.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) trainee minimums in the 2025 bulletin:
- South African citizen
- A valid Senior Certificate (Grade 12 or equivalent, NQF Level 4)
- Domiciled in the Johannesburg metro area, with original proof of residence
- No criminal record
- A driver’s licence (not a learner’s licence), minimum Code B
- Age 18 to 35
- Physically and mentally fit
- Proficient in English
- No objection to carrying a firearm and wearing a uniform
Other metros set their own criteria. Confirm them in the advertisement for the intake you are applying to.
Education and Subject Requirements
Grade 12 is the baseline in both published examples. No specific subjects were listed in the JMPD trainee bulletin.
Qualified-officer posts ask for more. Ekurhuleni’s Constable/Sergeant post (EMPD23389, closed 3 March 2025) required Grade 12, a valid driver’s licence, no criminal record, a Metro Police qualification from an institution accredited by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), and completed Metro Police basic training. That was a qualified-officer post, not a trainee intake.
Age, Fitness, Licence and Background Requirements
- Age: JMPD’s 2025 trainee intake was open to 18 to 35 year olds. Other metros may differ.
- Licence: JMPD required a driver’s licence, minimum Code B. A learner’s licence was not accepted.
- Fitness: a comprehensive medical certificate had to be submitted with the application, followed by a fitness assessment before training. The bulletin does not publish the test standards.
- Background: no criminal record, no civil judgments for fraud or corruption, and vetting.
Documents and Evidence Required
For the JMPD 2025 intake, applicants attached these to an online application:
- Certified ID
- Certified qualification or certificates
- An up-to-date CV
- A comprehensive medical certificate
- Original proof of residence in the metro (you may be asked to show originals)
Other metros and other posts will list their own documents. Use the list in the advertisement.
Application and Selection Process
How to apply for metro police: apply to the metro you live in, through its own channel. JMPD’s 2025 intake accepted online applications only, and it was compulsory to apply in the region where you live. Ekurhuleni advertises its posts on its eRecruitment site.
Metro police vacancies: watch the vacancy page of each municipality you could work for, such as Johannesburg’s vacancies page at joburg.org.za. Trainee intakes and qualified-officer posts are advertised separately. At the time of writing we have not seen a 2026 JMPD trainee intake advertised, so check the municipality directly.
Training: JMPD trainees were expected to complete 18 months of training, with a stipend, and were then considered for appointment as Metropolitan Police Officers.
Fraud warning: the City of Johannesburg states that it never demands payment for job placement. Nobody can sell you a place, so verify every advertisement on the municipality’s own site and follow it exactly: incomplete or late applications are not considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for metro police?
It depends on the metro and the post. For Johannesburg’s 2025 trainee intake: South African citizen, Grade 12, living in the metro, no criminal record, Code B licence, age 18 to 35, and medically and physically fit. Ekurhuleni’s qualified-officer post also required an RTMC-accredited Metro Police qualification.
How do I apply for metro police?
Apply to your own metro through its recruitment channel. JMPD took online applications only, in the region where the applicant lives. Ekurhuleni uses its eRecruitment site.
Where do I find metro police vacancies?
On each municipality’s vacancy page. Trainee intakes and posts for qualified officers differ, so read which one is advertised.
Do I need a driver’s licence?
Both published examples required one. JMPD asked for at least Code B and did not accept a learner’s licence.
How do metro police differ from SAPS?
Metro police are municipal, focusing on crime prevention, traffic policing and by-law enforcement. They are recruited by each metro, not by SAPS.
How long is metro police training?
JMPD’s 2025 trainees were expected to undergo 18 months of training before being considered for appointment.
Confirm current criteria with the metropolitan municipality you are applying to. See job requirements and browse all career requirements.