Local SAPS, CPF members honoured at Provincial Excellence Awards ceremony
Members of the Boksburg SAPS, Reiger Park SAPS and CPF shone during the annual SAPS’ Provincial Excellence Awards ceremony which was held in Erasmia, Pretoria on August 25.
The prestigious event saw Gauteng’s CPF and SAPS members, as well as the SAPS’ support service staff and administrative staff honoured and recognised for going the extra mile in the fight against crime and for ensuring that communities in their respective policing precincts receive the best service during the 2016/2017 financial year.
Members were rewarded for their outstanding service in several categories.
The Reiger Park CPF was named the ‘Best CPF’ in the province. It was placed first ahead of 141 CPFs.
Katlehong and Brackendowns were announced as the runner-ups in this category.
Some of the things that contributed to the Reiger Park CPF’s tremendous victory, were its excellent efforts in preventing crime and promoting safety and security in a community that is plagued by gang violence and drug related crimes; its involvement in ensuring that needy residents receive assistance such as a dignified burial; its patrollers’ high visibility in known crime hotspots and its commitment and uninterrupted willingness to work with the police.
The Reiger Park CPF will – in January next year – head to the annual SAPS’ National Excellence Awards event to represent Gauteng.
The national event will be held in Durban, where the forum will, again, be going head-to-head with all the CPFs in the country.
The ceremony also saw the Reiger Park SAPS communication officer, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, scoop the ‘Man of the Year’ award. This was made possible by his outstanding efforts in forging a strong working relationship between the police and the community, resolving conflicts among community members, organising school raids and creating awareness of crime. He encourages the community and the youth in particular, to stand together against crime.
The Reiger Park SAPS station commander, Col Else Mashinini, could not hide her excitement and said she takes pride in having such a very dedicated team of police officers and CPF members at her police station.
“The victory is an indication of the best performance, commitment, dedication and sacrifices that our members display when carrying out their respective duties. I am extremely proud of my members,” said Mashinini.
- Boksburg SAPS
The Boksburg SAPS support service staff comprising administrative staff, cleaners and kitchen staff, won the ‘Admin Group of the Year’ award for their excellent performance during the 2016/2017 financial year. They beat all the other 141 police stations in the province.
Despite being understaffed and overworked, the team still managed to assist with other duties such as certifying clients’ documents at the CSC and taking part in crime prevention initiatives and visible policing duties. They have also gone the extra mile when they started a fund-raising initiative for charity.
The initiative called ‘Charity Friday’, allows members to wear civilian clothes instead of the uniform. For the privilege to do so, they contribute R10 to charity.
Meanwhile, Boksburg SAPS’ Capt Susan Meyer, who is also part of the administrative team, was crowned the “Admin Employee of the Year level 8-12), and received a certificate and a trophy.
In addition to her other duties, Meyer is the subsection head of the station’s finance department. She is also involved in social crime prevention projects, serves on various committees within the cluster, supports various charity organisations including the SA Blind Association and SAPS Elderly Care Fund. Meyer established a volunteer group called ‘Kosmos Ladies’. She further encourages unemployed women to acquire skills to produce products and in turn sell them for a living.
Speaking on behalf of the team, Meyer said the award was not all about her, but the hard work that she and the team put in to be presented the awards in the first place. “I hope these awards will encourage everyone to put in extra effort – always – when they are carrying out their duties,” said Meyer.
Assupol and Zemdock are the primary sponsors of the event.
On October 13, The Ekurhuleni SAPS Central Cluster will hold its own Prestige Awards event, to celebrate the excellent performances of members of the different police stations within the cluster.
