Pepper Spray Training For SAPS Recruits: A Glimpse Into Their Rigorous Journey
- A viral video captured at a SAPS academy showcases new police recruits enduring pepper spray exposure during their training.
- The @MDNnewss X page shared the intense footage as part of the recruits' challenging onboarding process.
- South Africans online couldn’t help but react with mixed emotions, poking fun while showing respect for those undergoing the demanding regimen.
- Lt-Col Thabo Covane confirmed to Briefly News that pepper spray exposure is indeed a crucial component of the recruits' preparation.
Let me tell you, folks, you wouldn’t believe this unless you saw it with your own eyes. A video making waves online gives us a raw look at what it takes to become a police officer in South Africa. It’s intense, to say the least. Picture this: cop trainees being hit with pepper spray as part of their training. Sounds rough, right? But stick with me—there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
It all started when the @MDNnewss X page dropped this eye-opening footage, capturing rookie officers going through one of the toughest parts of their onboarding process. The video quickly spread across social media, sparking conversations and reactions from people all over the country.
Why Pepper Spray? A Closer Look at the Training
Now, you might be wondering why pepper spray is even part of police training. To some, it might seem extreme, but there’s a method to the madness. The idea is to prepare these recruits for real-life situations where they might encounter the very same substance. After all, if they’re going to carry it as a tool, they need to know firsthand how it feels to be on the receiving end.
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The video caption says it all: "Pepper spray test at the SAPS training." In just ten seconds, you witness a trainer firing a burst of pepper spray directly into a recruit's face. It’s fast, intense, and, well, painful. The recruit’s eyes shut instantly, but the effects don’t stop there. The burning sensation kicks in, and they’re left trying to navigate their way to a water source to ease the discomfort.
Pepper spray, as we all know, isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Used worldwide as a non-lethal weapon for self-defense and crowd control, it’s infamous for causing temporary blindness and sheer agony. That’s why it’s no surprise that SAPS incorporates it into their training regimen. Their goal? To ensure that every officer knows exactly what they’re dealing with before they’re handed the responsibility of using it in the field.
According to the SAPS website, new recruits undergo the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP). This program is designed to equip them with the legal and policing skills needed to protect and serve their communities effectively. And let’s face it, being able to handle pepper spray is just one of the many skills they need to master.
Free State police spokesperson Lt-Col Thabo Covane confirmed the importance of this training to Briefly News. He explained, “It’s a harmless mixture of peppers used as a form of minimum force to ward off an attack or during an arrest. All police officials are trained to understand its effects before they’re issued with one and a certificate.”
South Africans Weigh In: Love It or Leave It?
As you can imagine, the video didn’t go unnoticed. South Africans took to social media to share their thoughts, with reactions ranging from disbelief to admiration. Some found the whole thing utterly outlandish, while others couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the comments that really stood out:
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@TeffuJoy chimed in with, “But water makes it worse, mos?” Clearly, they were questioning the logic behind using water to alleviate the burning sensation.
@juicystory_xciv added, “Sorry. I already got problems with my eyes already.” A lighthearted comment that highlights the challenges faced by those enduring this training.
@Blaq_Mannequin summed it up perfectly with, “Andisabaveli (I feel for them), shame.” A heartfelt response that captures the empathy many felt toward the recruits.
From Pepper Spray to Marathons: SAPS Officers in Action
But wait, there’s more to the story of South African police officers. In a completely different realm, Briefly News reported that over 350 SAPS officers made the cut for the 23,000-strong lineup of the 97th edition of the Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 9 June 2024. Now, that’s impressive!
A video of these officers lining up for the race had the nation watching in awe. Most of the police runners hailed from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with 70 and 59 officers respectively. It just goes to show that SAPS officers aren’t just about tough training—they’re also about pushing their limits in every aspect of life.
