How to become a Police reservist
Condition/Service description:
Any person wanting to become a police reservist must be aware that a reservist is a member of the community that performs part time (at least sixteen (16) hours per month) policing functions or activities for the South African Police 
Service on a voluntary basis without being remunerated for such services.

Process:
You could decide to become a reservist in one of the following categories:
Category A Reservist: Functional Policing:
Perform functions in all operational facets of policing either at stations, area or provincial level, but excluding specialized functional duties;
May wear a uniform;
Will be trained in relevant aspects of functional policing.

Category B Reservist: Support Services:
Perform specific support functions in an administrative capacity at national, provincial, area or station level and may not be utilized to perform functional policing functions,
Do not wear uniform, Where necessary, be trained in relevant legal aspects, policy and instructions applicable to his/her specific functions.

Category C Reservist: Specialized functional policing:
Must be a person who has particular skills or expertise which can be utilised operationally by the Service, eg pilots, doctors, divers, social workers, psychologists, etc;
Shall perform specific functions in his/her field of expertise;
May, with the approval of his/her commander, wear a uniform;
Must be trained in relevant legal aspects, policy and instructions applicable to his/her specific function; and for such periods as may be determined by the National or Provincial Commissioner concerned.

Category D Reservist: Rural and urban sector policing:
Perform functions in operational facets of policing related to sector policing in urban and rural in a specific sector at station level or will only perform duties in specified areas within a specific sector as determined by the commander;
May wear a uniform depending on utilization;
Must be trained in relevant aspects of sector policing and/ or functional policing relating to his or her duties depending on area of utilization. 

Additional training will be required if involved in sector policing functional operations.
A reservist appointed to one category may be transferred to any other category if he/she complies with all the requirements for the specific category and has undergone or is willing to undergo the required training for that 
category.

According to the regulations for South African Reserve Police Service it is required to have:
permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa
you must at least be 18 years and under 70 years of age
you must complete a health questionnaire as determined by the National Commissioner
you must be free of any mental defect, disease or infirmity which may interfere with the proper execution of your duties
you must be of good character, for which positive background enquiries must be obtained
you must successfully complete such psychometric tests/ assessment as may be determined by the National Commissioner you must be in possession of at least a senior certificate or equivalent qualifications of which documentary proof must be furnished you must be able to speak, read and write at least English as one of the official languages you must allow your fingerprints to be taken and you must not have not been found guilty of an offence you must not be under prosecution of an offence
you must be prepared to undergo such training as may be determined you must be prepared to take the oath of office
No visible tattoos possessing a drivers licence is a recommendation but not a prerequisite for reservist.

How to become a Reservist:
Approach the nearest Police Station complete an application form, SAPS 93
Personal Particulars (Annexure B)
Undertaking, (Annexure C)
Health questionnaire, (Annexure E)
Security questionnaire, Z204 - if you are not a RSA Citizen;
Fingerprint enquiry form, (SAPS 91 (a); and
Permission from your parents or guardian if you are below the age of 21 years, (SAPS 30);
Make sure that you bring the following documentation:
Certified copy of your identity document
Certified copy of your drivers license, if you posses a drivers licence
Certified copies of your academic qualifications
If you are found to be suitable, your application will be approved by 
the Area Commissioner and you will be sworn in. You will not be allowed to perform functional duties before you successfully attended your training, where after you  will be issued with an official appointment certificate and a uniform, but not before a period of six months has elapsed after your appointment.
Who cannot be appointed as a Reservist:
A person who has been discharged as medically unfit from a previous employer
A former member of the South African Police Service whose application for reenlistment was rejected
A person who holds any post or office in a political party 
A full-time journalist or media representative
A scholar
A security officer
A member of a Municipal Police Service
Cost:
This service is rendered free of charge.
Contact and location:
This service is rendered at any local police station, but could also be rendered at an area, provincial or national office.(contacts)

Legal Instrument:
The South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No 68 of 1995)
The Regulations for the South African Reserve Police Service

Depending on which class you wish to contribute, training is conducted either centrally or in the station by In-Service Trainers. It is best to apply at the station closest to where you live. A driver’s licence is an advantage. Applicants must be over 18 years old, be of sound mind and ethics, have no criminal record (yes, we check), have a desire to help the community at large and be committed to a thoroughly rewarding challenge.

Reservists are required to perform at least 16 hours of work a month. (Two shifts of eight hours or pare thereof) It is a completely voluntary vocation, a calling rather than a hobby.

Instead of standing around the braai moaning about the crime rate or complaining about the service you receive from the SAPS, you can be proud to say that you are making the direct effort to rectify the situation. Not many of us are willing to get dressed up on a Friday or Saturday and put in the extra hours, put yourself in the line of fire or on the receiving end of the phone calls for free.

  If you are one of the few, your contribution will be enthusiastically accepted.
Enquiries can be forwarded to Cst S Clark at SAPS Westville. Telephone 031-2677 340, office hours.