The South African Police Service often calls for support from members of the public – and at the Fairland Police Station, their officers support the public.
On 24 February the station held a crime awareness campaign together with the station’s victim support unit as well as the Community Police Forum at Heathway Centre in Blackheath.
During their campaign, Fairland police officers, as well as Fairland Police Station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Clive de Freitas, shaved their heads for the Cansa Shavathon.
De Freitas explained that they usually have campaigns at shopping centres and so do other members of the public. He said while police were handing out pamphlets at the Heathway Centre, they noticed the Cansa stall and decided to support it.
“We can’t ask for support from members of the public and not give them our support. They’re always there to support us – it’s only natural for us to do our bit,” he told Northcliff Melville Times.
De Freitas subsequently parted with his hair to give back not only to the community but also to the Cansa cause. The station commander was not the only Fairland police officer to shave his head, many other members joined him under the hair clipper.
De Freitas explained that the Shavathon was also a practical exercise as he usually keeps his hair short as he did during his police training days.
The Fairland Police Station also called on members of the public to contact them should they be interested in becoming a volunteer for the station’s victim support centre or if they wish to become street patrollers.
Details: frc.fairlands@saps.gov.za; 011 478 9441 (during office hours).
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