Durban North Station Commander retires after 7 years at the helm
Colonel Gopaul Naidoo first joined the force on 22 May 1984 and has served as a police officer for 36 years.
AFTER seven years at the helm of the Durban North police station, station commander Colonel Gopaul Naidoo has retired from the South African Police Services. In a career spanning 36 years to the SAPS, Naidoo has risen through the ranks and has left an indelible mark on the north Durban policing precinct which has seen a drastic reduction in major crimes.
Naidoo first joined the force on 22 May 1984 and had worked in various capacities including designated firearms officer (DFO) and acting cluster commander before being named station commander in 2013.
At the time of his deployment of station commander in Durban North SAPS, the station was listed as a Project 54 station.
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“The National Police department had identified six of the worst performing police stations in each of the nine provinces and Durban North was named one of them. When I arrived at the station I realised a lot of work had to be done and I set about implementing various crime-fighting strategies which has seen our crime rates drop significantly across our policing precinct.
“Part of that success, besides operational and crime fighting strategies was fostering a cooperative role with the various security companies and the Durban North/uMhlanga Community Police Forum (CPF). They have backed me all the way since my deployment and I feel we’ve made an impact collectively on crime levels,” he explained.
Naidoo said his passion for joining the police service was making a difference to his community.
“I would like to thank all those at the station from the admin staff to the officers and the north Durban community for their support over the years,” he said.
The Sunningdale resident said while he didn’t have any immediate plans he would use his retirement time to reflect on any new ventures.
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