English Language Writing-Exposure and Pre-Academy Writing Perceptions of Police Officers in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, the quality and adequacy of English writing competency displayed by police officers is perceived to have been deteriorating. One of the perceived probable cause is lack or less of English writing exercises during the high school years and lack of adequate exposure (out of school) to English writing during working hours. This challenge can be addressed by investigating the pre-academy writing experiences of police officers before they joined South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as how much of English writing are they exposed to during working hours. An investigation about the pre-academy writing experience of police officers as well as their exposure to English language was conducted using a questionnaire complimented by in-depth interviews with a selected sample of research subjects. Among other things, the study also found that the inadequacy of English writing tasks during the high school years contributes significantly to the inadequate workplace English writing competency of police constables in South Africa (SA). Also the unsurprising finding was the over exposure of English writing during working hours. This article underscores the importance of adequate English writing competency as well as the importance of adequate English writing exercises during school years. The findings in this article may help anticipate English writing challenge faced by police trainees. Furthermore they can help in informing the content of English writing component in the Basic Police Development and Learning Programme (BPDLP).