LIEUTENANT Col Percy Gonaseelan Sabapathy of the Pinetown SAPS’s detective branch handed his in police badge when he retired from the force last week.
Sabapathy joined the police service on 6 December, 1977. He first worked at Erasmia in Pretoria, then Westville, Chatsworth, Soweto, Pinetown detective branch, Isipingo Pound and finally joined the Pinetown detective branch again before he retired.
He had been the branch commander of Pinetown detectives from 1993 to 1997 and spent the last 20 years as Lieutenant Colonel.
He said the highlights of his career follow his motivation, dedication and perseverance, which allowed him to reach the said rank in the SAPS.
“To be a good police officer, you need dedication, perseverance and motivation, and I encourage youngsters to study so they can climb the ranks,” said Sabapathy.
Although he said he had no plans for his retirement, Sabapathy said he hoped to enjoy quality time with his wife, Elizabeth, three sons and seven grandchildren. The Bayview resident also said he wanted to get more involved with his hobbies – fishing and soccer.
Det W/O Rama Moodley presented a mirrored and framed plaque in recognition of the 37 years and five months service that Sabapathy had dedicated to the SAPS.
“Even though the lieutenant colonel received the standard watch and certificate of achievement from the SAPS, I wanted him to have something that his family could look at and be proud of for the amount of years he’s dedicated to the police service. I wish him well for his retirement,” said W/O Moodley.
