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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Policing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97050  Diploma in Policing 
ORIGINATOR
Walter Sisulu University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Diploma in Policing includes Communication, End-User Computing, Law Policing, Policing, Human Rights, Law of Evidence, Investigation of Crime and Criminal Procedure modules. Law enforcement officers mainly deal with crime and evidence, and in the execution of their duties, they have to ensure that they act within their constitutional mandate and do not exceed powers vested to them by various statutes within their line of duty. This qualification aims to equip the learner with the necessary skills to ensure efficiency in the execution of their law enforcement duties by applying the legal principles in line with the current legislation. Also, the qualification ensures that learners operate within their constitutional mandate and do not exceed powers vested in them. To keep the learner abreast with the latest developments, that are relevant to the field of study.

Rationale:
There was a need to offer the qualification due to demand and the restructuring of the South African Police Service (SAPS) vision in line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (RSA). The society and learners will benefit in that correct procedures and principles will be applied to ensure efficiency in the law enforcement spheres. The qualification will enhance the status, productivity and employability of the learner within the industry, particularly within the police environment as well as contribute to the quality and growth within the safety in the society. Further, the state will not waste its resources because the officers possessing the relevant qualification will execute their duties with a high level of diligence and meet the expected outcomes. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) shall be recognised, subject to the requirements of the qualification and as per institution's policy for RPL. RPL may be used to demonstrate competence for admission into this qualification. Evidence of prior learning must be through formal RPL processes.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 with endorsement.
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NC(V)), NQF Level 4 granting access to Diploma studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 5, 240 Credits:
  • Communication: Policing, 24 Credits.
  • Investigation of Crime, 24 Credits.
  • Law: Policing 1, 24 Credits.
  • Policing 1, 24 Credits.
  • Management 1, 24 Credits.
  • End-User Computing 1, 24 Credits.
  • Human Rights, 24 Credits.
  • Policing 2, 24 Credits.
  • Law: Policing 2, 24 Credits.
  • Management 2, 24 Credits.

    Elective Modules at Level 5, 30 Credits (Choose one):
  • Policing 3, 30 Credits.
  • Management 3, 30 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 6,90 Credits:
  • Criminal Procedure 1, 20 Credits.
  • Law: Policing 3, 30 Credits.
  • Law of Evidence, 20 Credits.
  • Law: Policing Practice (WIL), 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the concepts and principles of crime prevention and investigation in the context of law enforcement.
    2. Support criminal prosecutions by preparing documentation and giving evidence in a court of law.
    3. Apply management skills.
    4. Apply applicable legislation in a work environment.
    5. Assess service delivery of the organisation.
    6. Analyse operational plans for deployment and law enforcement purposes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Utilise the philosophies of crime prevention to determine the most appropriate crime prevention strategy.
  • Analyse national legislation on crime prevention and investigation to determine the impact on day-to-day law enforcement activities.
  • Identify crime prevention approaches and techniques are identified to select the most appropriate approaches and techniques.
  • Manage the scene of the incident for investigation purposes.
  • Apply different investigation methods and techniques during the different investigation phases.
  • Investigate a scene according to crime investigation principles and techniques.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Evaluate record-keeping systems and practices to determine adherence to systems and how systems can be improved.
  • Analyse the influence of record-keeping on the criminal justice systems used in terms of its potential effect on the integrity of the chain of custody.
  • Analyse inventory control processes to determine potential areas of improvement.
  • Apply the principles outlined in the public management finance activities within a work environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Implement problem-solving strategies to advance informed decision making.
  • Demonstrate leadership abilities in the guiding and coaching staff guiding and coaching includes but is not limited to induction processes.
  • Apply performance management principles within a work context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Apply relevant sections of the occupational health and safety act are applied that influence the management of work environments.
  • Evaluate the role and supremacy of the constitution of South Africa in terms of its position about other legislation.
  • Assess compliance with legislation to determine potential areas of improvement.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Assess the ability of the organisation to adhere to Batho Pele principles to ensure compliance.
  • Analyse the ability to build relationships with stakeholders for strategic purposes.
  • Explain the importance of community involvement in organisational processes to ensure transparency.
  • Assess complaints to determine possible trends, weakness or strengths within an organisation.
  • Apply public relation principles to build communities of trust.
  • Explain the importance of establishing a culture of ethical behaviour within an organisation in line with service delivery principles.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Collate operational plans with organisational objectives to determine their effectiveness.
  • Review operational plans, taking into account operational activities to determine their effectiveness.
  • Evaluate factors to determine possible influences.
  • Analyse complex situations to determine solutions.
  • Evaluate the principles of partnership policing to enhance partnerships with other stakeholders.

    Formative Assessment:
    The qualification provides for sufficient practical application of knowledge, skills and attitudes across modules to ensure that the learner's competencies can be assessed through formative assessment and summative assessment. The assessment types are tutorials, assignments, projects, presentation and tests.

    Summative Assessment:
    Learners will take the examination at the end of each year. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • Country: The United Kingdom.
    The United Kingdom is regarded by many as one of the world leaders in the training and application of their police services. In light of this and the fact that their training is comparable to the NVQ, the United Kingdom was chosen to compare with in terms of this qualification.

    The following qualifications were used to compare:
  • 100/4825/X Level 4 Police Operational Management. This qualification contains the following Standards: Determine and review s authorisations; Identify and manage operational threats and risks; Plan policing operations; Manage the use of financial resources; Manage activities to meet requirements; Manage the performance of teams and individuals; Promote health and safety culture in the workplace.
  • 100/4826/1 Level 5 Operational Police Management. This qualification contains the following Standards: Set, monitor and review strategies for policing operations; Formulate, monitor and review tactics to achieve strategic objectives for policing operations; Evaluate and improve organisational performance; Manage the use of physical resources; Maintain activities to meet requirements; Manage information for action; Use information to make critical decisions; Chair and participate in meetings; Set and manage local media strategies; Promote health and safety culture in the workplace.

    Most European countries have efficient and effective police services. Europe through the European Union (EU) is not only trying to standardise a qualification framework but also attempting to standardise police training and commonality in approaches and content. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Public Management, Local Government Finance, NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Management or Administrative Management, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Forensic Investigation, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Laws, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    1. Walter Sisulu University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.