SECUNDA – The day on which Capt Gerhard Elmes received the three star epaulettes indicating his rank as captain, was the highlight of his career.
Years before he had a vision of that moment and it kept him motivated to reach that rank.
Capt Elmes, the new spokesman at Secunda police station and head of the cluster’s corporate communication, is very attentive to his uniform and, as a former field trainer and station commander at Kinross, he ensured that the new recruits follow suit.
“A policeman must take pride in his uniform. The manner in which he wears it represents his level of discipline and professionalism,” explained Capt Elmes.
“First appearances leave lasting impressions.”
This 48-year-old was born and raised in Lepalale (formerly Ellisras). He joined the police straight out of school.
“I clocked in at the Ellisras police station for my first shift on 27 December 1990 and about two weeks later, I headed off to Police College.”
His first post after Police College was Evander where he served the community for more than 16 years before being transferred to Kinross police station where he first worked as the head of the visible police unit and later promoted to station commander.
Capt Elmes moved over to the shift crews at Secunda police station about two years ago.
According to Capt Elmes, there were also very low times in his police career.
“The things that we sometimes see and experience do affect us and those around us. It influences our private lives and many marriages do not last,” explained this father of three teenagers.
Capt Elmes sees himself as an introvert and is excited about his new challenge as communication officer, a role that requires one to often interact with others.
“It is a new challenge for me, but I enjoy learning and growing.”
He is a stickler for rules and for being fair and objective. “I believe one should either do something right, or leave it.”
