SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Occupational Certificate: Military Police Official

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110351	Occupational Certificate: Military Police Official
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-SASSETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security		Safety in Society
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	264	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2021-03-25	2025-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31		2029-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The main functions of the Military Police Division (MPD) is to provide policing within the South African National Defence force (SANDF) and to the general public by executing a variety of duties, including patrolling, arresting individuals suspected of committing crimes and testifying in court. Military police officials play a central role in the criminal justice system. They monitor criminal activity, take part in community patrols, respond to emergency calls, make arrests, investigate crimes, etc. whereby providing efficient service to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as well as national and international societies.

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Military Police Official. A Military Police Official provides military policing support to the armed forces and military community in peace time as well as during military operations.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Provide support to armed forces in peace time and during military operations providing protection and mobility.

Apply principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) according to the Geneva Convention and of the UN, AU and African Charters to protect human life as well as human rights during peace support operations.

Apply the principles of operation and service delivery within a Client Service Centre in a military policing environment and during military operations.

Conduct crime prevention and detection duties in accordance with military policing principles.

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.

Rationale:
The Military Police operate under various forms of legislation, including Defence Act, Military Disciplinary Code and International Military Law as well as the international United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Charters. They play a key role in the safety of the South African society as well as the international community. They fulfil a dual role: enforcing law and order during peace time as well as during conventional warfare, and are deployed at national and international levels.

Military police officials provide mobility support operations moving the Force safely during wartime, area/site security and response operations, national and international law enforcement functions, internment/resettlement operations (military prisoners and prisoners of war) and international peace support operations. To achieve this, the South African Military Police Division needs officials who have embraced the culture of discipline, ethics and service provision and who are combat ready, aware and vigilant during day-to-day duties and who set a standard of professionalism. The aim of this qualification is to inculcate such organisational and personal ethics, values and professional conduct, ensuring the execution of crime prevention and detection duties in an endeavour to provide efficient service delivery to the military as well as international communities within which they operate.

The South African Military Police Division is the only employer of learners who successfully complete this qualification. Competent learners will be appointed by the Provost Marshal General as per appointment card to maintain the peace, safety, and order of the military community and general public. Competent learners will be deployed across South Africa, including military and joint support operations in rural as well as urban areas, at the boarders of the country and internationally.

Various organisations in the law enforcement environment were consulted, including Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South African Police Service (SAPS) and Correctional Services. Internal consultation included legal services, 7 Medical Battalion and the Logistical Division. Typical learners are recruits who completed Basic Military Training in the various Arms of Services.

This qualification reflects the workplace-based needs of the law enforcement sector that are expressed by employers and employees, both for current and future purposes. It provides the learner with competencies to be employed within the society, with specific reference to a law enforcement environment and provides the flexibility to pursue different careers in the broader military policing environment. Various specialisation options are available as a next step in the career path of Military Police.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
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 result 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 requirement for this qualification is:

NQF Level 4 qualification with Communication and Mathematical Literacy.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skills and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

541203-000-00-KM-01, Regulatory Framework of Military Policing Environment, Level 5, 15 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-02, Law of Armed Conflict and Peace Support Operations, Level 5, 5 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-03, Discipline, Cohesion and Wellness, Level 4, 2 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-04, Professional Conduct of the Military Police Division, Level 4, 2 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-05, Combat Orientation, Movement and Protection, Level 6, 5 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-06, Legal Requirements for the Safe Use and Handling of a Range of Firearms and Ammunition in a Law Enforcement Environment, Level 5, 2 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-07, Proportionality of Force and Defensive Restraining Techniques, Level 6, 4 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-08, Tactical Techniques and Procedures, Level 6, 4 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-09, Client Service Centre Operational Principles, Level 5, 14 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-10, Preliminary Crime Investigation, Level 6, 8 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-11, Crime Detection and Prevention, Level 6, 8 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-12, Crowd Control and Management Techniques, Level 4, 4 Credits.

541203-000-00-KM-13, Traffic Control, Level 4, 3 Credits.
Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 76

Practical Skill Modules:

541203-000-00-PM-01, Apply Principles of Discipline and Code of Conduct to Enhance Team Cohesion and Wellness, Level 4, 2 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-02, Provide Movement Support and Protection to Armed Forces during Conventional Warfare, Level 5, 5 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-03, Execute Peace Support Operations during Wartime, Level 5, 3 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-04, Execute Duties in a Client Service Centre (CSC) in a Law Enforcement Environment, Level 5, 10 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-05, Conduct Preliminary Crime Investigation, Level 6, 4 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-06, Detect, Prevent and Combat Crime in an Endeavour to Reduce Crime, Level 6, 8 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-07, Execute Crowd Control Procedures to Manage and Disperse Crowds, Level 6, 8 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-08, Legally and Safely use and Handle Firearms and Ammunition in a Law Enforcement, Level 5, 8 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-09, Use Appropriate Force to Uphold the Law, Level 6, 9 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-10, Approach and Move Tactically to Survive Any Given Situation in a Law Enforcement, Level 6, 9 Credits.

541203-000-00-PM-11, Execute Traffic Duties and Attend to a Vehicle Accident Scene during Peacetime and Wartime, Level 5, 2 Credits.
Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 68

Work Experience Modules:

541203-000-00-WM-01, Exercise Provost, Level 5, 10 Credits.

541203-000-00-WM-02, Service Delivery in a Community Service Centre, Level 5, 40 Credits.

541203-000-00-WM-03, Preliminary Crime Investigation Procedures, Level 6, 25 Credits.

541203-000-00-WM-04, Crime Prevention and Detection Procedures and Duties, Level 6, 25 Credits.

541203-000-00-WM-05, Crowd Control Procedures for Managing and Dispersing Crowds, Level 6, 9 Credits.

541203-000-00-WM-06, Proportionality of Force during Arresting and Searching a Suspect, Level 6, 9 Credits.

541203-000-00-WM-07, Traffic Control in Peacetime and Wartime and Military Vehicle Driving and Maintenance, Level 5, 2 Credits.
Total Number of Credits for Work Experience Modules: 120

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Balance regulatory framework and legal rights of individuals with the competence to legally infringe upon those rights in the service of maintaining a safe and secure society, nationally and internationally.
2. Apply principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) according to the Geneva Convention and of the UN, AU and African Charters to protect human life as well as human rights during wartime and peacetime.
3. Provide deployment and protection to armed forces according to the prescripts of the Military Police Doctrine by identifying, analysing and solving problems appropriate to battlefield conditions during conventional warfare.
4. Apply the principles of operation, service delivery, ethics and professional conduct within a Client Service Centre (CSC) in a military policing environment to enhance service delivery to the local and international military community and general public.
5. Execute crime prevention and crime detection duties according to the principles of policing and International Humanitarian Law.
6. Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation as first responder to a crime scene by gathering information and securing the crime scene as well as potential evidence.
7. Conduct a preliminary criminal investigation as first responder to a crime scene by gathering information and securing the crime scene as well as potential evidence.
8. Apply legislation pertaining to the controlling of traffic during peacetime and wartime.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the Principles of the Constitution and evaluate these Principles in terms of their impact on policing functions.

Evaluate Constitutional rights of individuals in terms of the principles ensconced in the Constitution and legislation in order to determine when these rights may be infringed upon.

Evaluate principles of the Criminal Justice System in terms of their impact on the daily functions of a law enforcement official and when giving evidence in a court of law.

Explain and understand the regulatory framework guiding the concept crime prevention/crime investigation within a South African context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the principles of international conventions and charters and evaluate these principles in terms of their impact on policing functions during peace support operations.

Evaluate human rights of individuals in terms of the principles ensconced in the International Humanitarian Law and demonstrate a thorough understanding of legislation in order to determine when these rights may be infringed upon during peace support operations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Select and use the most appropriate navigation aid during deployment operations (navigation aids include maps, compass, sand model, aerial photographs, constellations and global positioning system).

Execute a range of protection activities, demonstrating effective use of cover, concealment, camouflage, dispersion, trenches and fox holes, back-out precautions and measures and drills against ground and air attacks.

Provide escort to expedite the move of a particular convoy, escort detained persons, abnormal loads and urgent convoys.

Conduct route marking, manning and patrolling of a designated route for the movement of logistical units and deployment of forces employing special traffic control measures as well as de-signing of routes and retaining of equipment.

Receive and transmit messages on a radio network applying voice procedure.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Explain and implement Batho Pele and ethical principles in daily functioning of a Community Service Centre (CSC) within a law enforcement context and understand the consequences of a lack thereof.

Evaluate the concept of discipline in terms of the execution of lawful orders and daily tasks.

Execute duties related to the internal processes of the CSC in relation to customer service, custody management, property handling, information management and financial management while adhering to the organisational prescripts.

Justify and implement communication principles in terms of the hierarchy of reporting channels within the organisation as well as with regard to customer service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Define and evaluate crime prevention and detection principles and concepts in order to determine their impact on the execution of daily law enforcement functions.

Evaluate community/sector policing principles in terms of their applicability to daily functions of a law enforcement official, taking into account the specific nature of the various communities to be served.

Conduct crime prevention operations in order to detect, prevent and reduce crime.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Attend to and secure the scene of incident or crime according to policing prescripts in order to protect potential evidence.

Identify role players/experts needed at the crime scene and request their presence in order to control and manage the crime scene.

Utilise individualising processes in order to establish a link between a perpetrator and a specific offence.

Collect, analyse, organise, record and critically evaluate information in order to ascertain whether a crime has been committed and which legislation may have an impact on the actions to be taken.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

Display critical and analytical thinking during the identification and solving of incidents by selecting the appropriate application of tactical techniques in a given law enforcement situation ensuring safety of self, the team and others.

Conduct policing duties and functions by tactically and physically evaluating and proactively and/or reactively attending to complaints of crime involving the use of firearms, in a safe, secure and professional manner.

Conduct policing duties and functions by tactically and physically evaluating and proactively and/or reactively attending to complaints of crime involving persons, premises and vehicles in a safe, secure and professional manner according to the nature of the incident.

Conduct policing duties and functions by tactically and physically evaluating and proactively and/or reactively attending to complaints pertaining to hostage and suicide situations, in a safe, secure and professional manner.

Conduct policing duties and functions by tactically and physically evaluating and proactively and/or reactively attending to complaints related to crowds in a safe, secure and professional manner.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

Apply legislation and procedures in respect of vehicles and drivers in order to enforce the rules of the road.

Make preparations for traffic control situations and the performance of the duties of a pointsman.

Set-up roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints for law enforcement purposes.

Attend to accident/incident scenes and direct traffic to ensure safe passage.

Perform parking duties according to protocols.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The Skills Development Provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the external integrated summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment (EISA), conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria.

The external summative assessment will be conducted through an evaluation of written theoretical assessment and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment site accredited by QCTO and conducted by a registered assessor.

Learners must be competent in the use of firearms and physical fitness before applying for the EISA.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The qualification was compared with similar qualifications/training programmes offered internationally by institutions from the United Kingdom and India.

United Kingdom (UK):
The training program for the training of the Royal Military Police is offered in 2 phases. Phase 1 entails the common military syllabus for the training of recruits followed by phase 2 which includes aspects such as Service Police Codes of Practice (SPCOP), military legislation which shadows Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), Armed Forces Act 2006 (also Status of Forces in NATO), Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCAP 2005), Geneva Conventions, the Hague Rules, and Personal Safety Training.

The training involves common police practices and the application of both civil and military law which is underpinned by the Armed Forces Act. Application of these skills is within the jurisdiction of the UK as well as overseas in military operations. Use of personal weapons, handling of foreign nationals, lines of communication and protection of logistic routes.

The 21-week course focusses on police duties and law, including interviewing techniques, basic forensic awareness, unarmed defensive techniques, how to detect, investigate and report crime. Operational specific training prepares the learner for armed combat. Advanced training includes powers of arrest, powers of search, use of force, patrolling techniques and incident handling. Included in the advanced training is notebook instruction, maintenance of occurrence books and security registers, processing telephone calls, accounting for security equipment as well as weapons handling, marksmanship and judgemental assessment.

On successful completion of the course, learners are placed on probation at an operational unit.

The Occupational Certificate: Military Police Official covers similar aspects as the above UK training program for the Royal Military Police. Some aspects which are presented as advanced training in the UK, is included in this qualification. The level was not specified and no comparison could be concluded. The duration could not be compared, since some aspects are included in the Occupational Certificate, but is presented as follow-up or advanced training in the UK.

India:
The Indian Sergeant (SGT): Indian Air Force (Police) qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Register on the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) at level 6 and the duration is 800 hours of which 270 hours are an in-service course comprising 110 hours theory and 160 hours practical; 120 hours are continuity training at a field unit as well as 410 hours practice.

This qualification has a number of mandatory components which include:

Perform duties of Guard Room, Provost, Administration.

Holding and operating of inventory.

Parade, PT and games.

Escorting VIPs.

Special Investigation Branch (SIB) Major Investigation.

Essential elements of security.

Sub-conventional warfare.

Gate management system and associated civil work requirement.

Staff Non-commissioned Officer in Charge Motor Transport (SNCO IC MT) Section.

Re-verification/Special verification of personnel.

Internal vetting.

Undertake trade testing and instructional duties.

The level is similar, however, the Indian qualification is much shorter in duration, most probably because of the lack of scaffolding at lower levels, since all aspects are at level 6.

Conclusion:
This qualification compares favourably with the international offerings in terms of content, complexity and duration.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Non-Commissioned Police Official, NQF Level 6.

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Policing Practices, NQF Level 7.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

Qualifying for external assessment:
In order to qualify for the external integrated summative assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience.

Additional legal or physical entry requirements:

None.

Criteria for the accreditation of providers:

Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

The curriculum title and code is Military Police Official: 2541203-000-00-00

Encompassed Trades:
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

None.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):

Safety and Security SETA.

Related Part-Qualifications:

None

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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