Specialized Narcotics Investigation training

The Specialized Narcotics Investigation training is specialized, accredited by the South African Police, covers chemical manufacture and trafficking of drugs, law enforcement protocols including surveillance and interception, and is not given to normal station level members but to identified specialized unit members.

“It is a specialized module . We do not just tell you it is Cocaine . We tell you where it comes from . We then tell you what chemicals you need to manufacture the end product . We then tell you how it is trafficked . We then teach you how to identify the trafficking measures . From there , there is law enforcement protocols that go into investigating that , mutual legal assistance , surveillance , interception and monitoring , agent program . That is part of that . So , it is something that the normal station level members do not receive . It is more for your specialized units ... It is , Commissioner . It is accredited and in place .”

The Specialized Narcotics Investigation training was officially rolled out at Chatsworth Training College at the end of 2024 and is accredited by the South African Police.

“It was rolled out in the end of 2024 at the Chatsworth Training College , and we had it officially accredited and passed .”

The Specialized Narcotics Investigation training is given not only to DPCI members but also to other SAPS members who are identified in the working environment and have an interest in narcotics work.

“Commissioner , as I said , it is other SAPS members as well , but it is people that are identified in the working environment . It is also people that want to have an interest . It is pointless you come sit for a couple of weeks and you do not have an interest in the topic . You have got to have an interest in the field . You have got to be passionate about it .”

Candidates for the Specialized Narcotics Investigation training are selected by unit commanders based on interest and passion; the training includes theoretical and practical components including on-site training at locations such as airports, ports, and cold storage.

“Correct , Commissioner . It is also people that want to have an interest . It is pointless you come sit for a couple of weeks and you do not have an interest in the topic . You have got to have an interest in the field . You have got to be passionate about it . We do a theory , and then we actually did the physical , where we took people into the airport . We took people into the port . We took people into a minus 40 degree cold storage and showed them how to work in that environment . So you have got a practical feel for it . You have got the theoretical feel for it , but you also had to work every night . They had theory to do , they had tests to write , and it was sat in by HRD , the Human Resource Development . There is two sections in HR , and they then bring it through . It was myself and members from head office , and I say it was a highlight of my career .”

The Specialized Narcotics Investigation training is not currently compulsory but is encouraged, with applications reviewed by unit commanders and limited by budget and time constraints.

“Commissioner , I would say from my side , I am going to say I would love every policeman to complete it , but it would be a person that is going to , obviously there would be a budget , it is time , the police would say there is a place for 30 members who is in that field , they must apply , and then the Unit Commanders would send those people to be enriched and developed . So it is not compulsory at this stage , but it is a unit standard to obtain while working in our division .”