Hard work does pay – Insp Boolsen

Hard work and perseverance has been the way of life for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) Region F1 Inspector Marius Boolsen.

Insp Boolsen has been the manager of ward 118 and was promoted to Inspector in January.

He was raised by a single mother in Germiston, after his father died when he was young.

“My mother is the one who taught me all the ethics I know today. She taught me that hard work pays off and to never give up. My mother was one of the poorest people in the neighbourhood but she never stole or begged. She worked hard for us,” said Insp Boolsen.

He said the day used to start in the early hours at his mother’s home.

“My brother and I would wake up at 4am to help my mother bake ‘vetkoek’. She would sell them at school. That is how she made money to raise us,” said Insp Boolsen.

He said he and his brother would help their mother on weekends.

“We would push the shopping trolleys for customers at the nearest shopping mall. We would then buy some groceries for our mother. All that instilled a sense of responsibility. That has been part of my life in everything I do,” he said.

He joined the Johannesburg Traffic Department two weeks after passing his matric.

“Even then it was not about money and it will never be. For me it is about hard work and serving the nation with pride and dignity,” he said.

He said being a metropolitan police officer needs discipline and a belief in God.

“There are so many temptations. There are people out there to bring out the devil in the law enforcement officers. You need to contain yourself. Remember, the choice you make today will affect you and your family tomorrow,” said Insp Boolsen.

He said he knew from an early age that he wanted to work in a crime-fighting environment.

“Since I was young I have been a person who finds joy in assisting my fellow residents. Even now, being able to fight crime in the community builds me. Fighting crime is one of the things I love to do,” he said.

He said the JMPD is currently employing ward-based community policing.

“The aim is to change the environment and the community for a better life for all. This means our job does not end with crime fighting. We also monitor and help with service delivery. When we see a burst water pipe, non functioning traffic lights or over grown grass that affects vision on the side of the road. We report to the other entities of the city. We attend community meetings, providing clarity where possible and take the community’s concerns to the relevant departments. We try to find solutions for the community we working in,” said Insp Boolsen.

He had some advice for his colleagues.

“This job is not easy but it is doable. It needs you to serve with pride, honour, honesty and dignity. Remember to pray to God all the time and respect other people’s religions. Most importantly, stick to police basics,” he said.

“My father used to say; no matter what you do as long as you are honest about it, do it. Also remember that every time there is someone watching,” said Insp Boolsen.