30-year police career sets Captain Premhid on path to law degree

UMBILO SAPS's Captain Rakesh Premhid, will be leaving the police force on 18 September, after a career that spanned almost 31 years.

Premhid will be shifting his focus from police work to the law and justice system, as he plans on furthering his studies towards his LLB.

As a result of his passion to be a policeman, Premhid joined the police force on 18 October 1983.

“I had an instinct to go out, fight crime and get involved. In 1983 this wasn't a career choice in the Indian community as it was a trying time to join, however I fulfilled my passion by becoming an officer,” he said.

Premhid has worked pre-democracy, through democracy and is pleased to have served in the old and new South Africa.

He started his career at Durban Central Police Station, where he worked from 1983 to 2006, filling various roles such as unit commander at Durban Central's satellite stations, and working closely with reservists and the community. He was promoted to captain in 1997.

He also completed a diploma and a BTech degree in policing, and has completed a few courses towards his LLB.

Premhid moved to Umbilo SAPS in 2007 where he was appointed commander of crime prevention.

During his time in the police force, he received medals for 10 and 20 year loyal service, and is still to receive his medal for 30 years. He is proud of the fact that he he hasn't stayed away from work for more than 30 days in all his years service.

“My passion is community involvement which is very important. I have tried to drive and get community interaction on different levels. Highlights in my career have been working at the 2010 Football World Cup and other important events. I have received the most satisfaction from giving victims of crime a shoulder to cry on, when we have been able to reunite a child with its family, or give a homeless person shelter. The social aspect of the job has really touched me. I believe the caliber of police coming into the job today should be recruited on their commitment to people first. It requires a degree as well as compassion to work with people, as well as the ability to uplift the law,” he said.

Premhid will be furthering his career in the field of law after leaving Umbilo SAPS and will attend university to complete his LLB.

“I could return to the police force as a law official. I feel getting involved in law is my calling now. I can offer much more to the community and police by getting involved in law, and bridging the gap between the justice system and the police. I look forward to a different sphere of thought, dealing specifically with criminal law, the Child Care Act and domestic violence. I hope to work together with the Justice Department as well,” he said.

Premhid is married to an attorney who owns a practice in Durban. His son, a Rhodes Scholarship recipient, is studying his Masters in International Relations at Oxford University and his daughter is in Grade 10 at Westville Girls' High School.

He is a member of the police Rock and Surf Angling Club, which he will keep up after leaving the force.

“I love my dogs, I have two boerbulls and one wolf dog. I also love gardening at my home in Westville,” he said.

Premhid thanked the policing community groups he has worked with as well as the community for their support during his time at Umbilo SAPS.