Duty still calls after retirement

SERVING is a huge part of life for Westville’s retired Metro police Peter Keogh. After three years of being retired, Keogh is still dedicated to his job as he carries  on teaching school children about road safety tips, and all there is to know about keeping safe.

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The 66 year old said he has never imagined himself doing anything else besides serving the community the best way he knows how.

 “My 43 year career dates back to 1976 when I started as an officer of the Durban City police at 20 years old, I had been one of the few that experienced work under the aparthied law. In 2000 we were turned into the Metro police. During my career, I was promoted to a senior constable, senior sergeant and to captain,” he said. 

Keogh said his career was paused for a little while when he had to take care of his wife who had been involved in an accident.

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“I met my wife of 36 years at work where she was a constable. She progressed in her career and became the first City police woman. In 2010, she was unfortunate to be knocked by a car while on duty. She had fallen sick due to the injuries, and she subsequently passed on to breast cancer in 2015. During that time when she was sick, I was taking care of her and could not go to work. I was booked off for six months and my salary benefits were cut off. This was a difficult time for me as I had to watch my wife in that state,” he said.

Keogh said he was grateful to learn that his colleagues from the Metro supported him and helped him save his career. “I ran into one of my seniors, Wiseman Mchunu while pushing my wife in a wheelchair. He asked me to come back to work and to form a new section. This new section was a programme for police to reach out to places they have never been to before. We went to different places such as old age homes, schools, organisations. During these outreaches we would give crime prevention tips, telling children how to be aware of strangers,” he said. 

He said this helped him find his niche and he has not looked back since. “I was laid off due to retirement in 2019, and I am on a journey to challenge the retirement system. I feel fit to do my work, and I have 43 years experience that I know the community would benefit from,” he said. 

Keogh has not been deterred by retirement as he still continues with his talks, and focuses on primary schools, and old age homes.

“This is what I plan to do till my last breath. Children need to be taught safety. I am happy to help the authorities while they continue to do other important things. It has been a great pleasure working hand in hand with the Metro police while following my passion,” he said. 

The captain pleaded with parents to always put their children’s safety first when on the road and set an example by putting safety measures into practice.