Officers honoured at medal parade

Long-serving police officers were praised for their commitment to their work, during a medal parade at Goodwood civic centre, last week.

The officers from the SAPS Tygerberg cluster and the spouses of slain colleagues received citations for loyal service. Others got medals for long service.

Parow police spokesman, Captain Kevin Williams, was one of the officers who got a medal for more than 30 years of service.

“What an amazing moment to be a recipient of a faithful-service medal,” he said, adding he felt thankful to God for protecting him during his three decades in the police.

Captain Williams started six months of basic training at Bishop Lavis Police College in 1985, after which he joined Kensington police station. It was an area he had grown up in, and he worked there for 26 years.

“Out of the blue, I was informed of my promotion to the rank of lieutenant of corporate communications during April 2011.”

Later that year, he was transferred to Parow police as head of corporate communications. In 2016, he was promoted to captain.

Captain Williams said he had made some “wrong choices” in his youth, and he believed the police had helped him turn his life around.

“After completing my training, I decided to be the best policeman ever. Later in my career, I discovered that it was one of the best moves I could have made, and the choice changed my life,” he said.

Pastor Norman Mudau praised the officers for their commitment to the SAPS. “I know that the officers here sacrificed a lot and many family members suffered due to the long hours officers had to work. You did not always have time with your spouses and children, due to the service you rendered to the organisation.

“You prioritised the nation, and I want to applaud you for that. All of you have remained, loyal and committed throughout your tenure, and your hard work has not gone unnoticed.”

Pastor Mudau also thanked the spouses of officers slain in the line of duty for attending the event.

Tygerberg Cluster Community Police Forum chairman, Sean McCleland, thanked the officers and acknowledged those who had died in the line of duty.