Cape Town - More than 6 000 city residents have applied for just 32 metro police positions.
This new batch of officers will bring the Metro Police team to just over 600 members.
JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security, said the trainee constables would be appointed in January.
And although thousands applied, very few made the cut. Less than half passed the first round of tests.
Smith said successful applicants would complete an 18-month training course at the metro police training college, after which they would become constables.
He said the city had received 6 251 applicants for the 32 vacancies. Out of these, just over 1 900 had passed the first tests.
The successful applicants will earn R7 600 a month, including benefits. This works out to just over R96 000 each year.
He said the large number of applications was not unusual for the safety and security directorate.
Smith said between 8 000 and 10 000 applicants were expected to apply for the new round of Fire Services vacancies which were set to open soon. The tests for that department are set to start early next month.
In the law enforcement division, just 15 percent of those who applied made the cut.
Smith said the safety and security department offered “competitive” salaries and that people had a good attitude towards the metro police.
“The metro police are held in positive regard, there is a desirable career path.”
He said many Further Training Colleges were offering courses in law enforcement.
Cape Argus