Police are calling on young South Africans from all population groups to consider a career in policing.

This follows strong express of concerns over the racial composition of its latest recruitment cohort.

Police says it received nearly one million applications, with the overwhelming majority coming from African applicants, compared to significantly fewer applications from White, Indian and Coloured communities.

Police says candidates were selected through a prescribed process that included physical and psychometric assessments, medical examinations, drug testing, criminal record checks and interviews.

Police spokesperson, Brigd. Athlenda Mathe says the current recruitment figures reflect the composition of the applicant pool and not the exclusion of any population group.

Mathe says police will conduct targeted recruitment roadshows and community engagements to encourage greater participation.