Matsapha– Hundreds of emaSwati hoping to wear the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) uniform have been handed a lifeline after His Majesty King Mswati III announced that a police recruitment exercise will be conducted later this year to strengthen the country’s law enforcement agency.

The announcement was made during the 23rd Police Day celebrations held at the Police Academy in Matsapha on Friday, where the King said the exercise would fill vacancies created by retiring officers while ensuring the organisation remains adequately staffed to respond to the country’s evolving security needs.

The celebration was held under the theme Policing with Agape love.

“There has been an increase in the number of police officers in the country, but as officers reach retirement age, gaps are created that must be filled. I am pleased to announce that a recruitment exercise will be conducted shortly,” the King said.

His Majesty said recruiting a new generation of officers would strengthen the operational capacity of the police service and ensure continuity in maintaining peace, security and public order.

The King also commended young officers who took part in the parade and drill displays, saying their discipline, confidence and professionalism demonstrated that they were ready to carry the responsibility of policing into the future.

He reminded serving officers and future recruits that policing was a calling requiring integrity, courage and selflessness.

“You must always remember the oath you took. Carry out your duties without fear or favour and serve the nation with the love of God. Continue working closely with communities because the police and the public are partners in creating a peaceful nation,” His Majesty  said.

The King further encouraged officers to remain physically fit, saying policing demands constant readiness because officers could be called upon to respond to emergencies at any hour.

His Majesty also urged police officers to continue equipping themselves with modern policing skills, particularly in cybercrime investigations and technology-driven law enforcement, to re⁵main ahead of increasingly sophisticated criminal activities.