SECUNDA – Capt Lizzie Koekemoer, commander of the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS) is retiring after 37 years of service in the police.
Her farewell function was held at Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club on Thursday, 17 December where all her colleagues had the chance to bid her farewell.
Capt Koekemoer’s career in the police began in 1983 at a police station in Pretoria after she completed her training at the police college.
She was then transferred to the Highveld area and worked at a few police stations in the area, including stations in eMbalenhle, Groblersdal, Tzaneen and Bethal.
Capt Koekemoer began the child protection unit alone in 1995 and eventually had three officers working with her.
Her colleague and friend, Capt Tania Marx, spoke at the farewell function and said they had many adventures together.
“It takes a special kind of person to be able to handle the cases at FCS,” said Capt Marx.
“Capt Koekemoer is a real example for everyone, her dedication and love for her work was visible.
“It is impossible to do this kind of work without a strong belief in God.
“I know she prayed many times about cases and then got a breakthrough.
“I know she cried many times over cases and the cruelty of mankind. “
Capt Koekemoer will leave a legacy behind and she will be missed at the police,” said Capt Marx.
Capt Koekemoer said in her speech at her farewell function that it was always her passion to work with children and that her job was not only a career.
“God places you in a position for a reason. They say being a police officer is in your blood and it stays with you until you die,” said Capt Koekemoer.
“I worked with children who were so small and I did not know how to approach them, they were scared and did not trust anybody.
“We then had to talk to them first and play with them to win their trust to get a statement from them.”
Capt Koekemoer also remembers her days working at eMbalenhle Police Station and she said until today eMbalenhle is a strong police station.
The highlights in her career were to see that her unit made contributions to change the lives of young children.
“To see a child coming into our office crying, but to go out laughing, is something I will always remember.
“To see children crying breaks your heart sometimes, but I cannot cry with the child, because I have to be strong for them,” said Capt Koekemoer.
Another highlight in her career was the investigation of a serial killer.
“I thought what are we going to do to catch this guy, he was killing girls between the ages of nine and 12 years old.
“We noticed that he had a pattern and eventually we caught him.”
She said she wanted to acknowledge the Lord and her family who supported her through all the years while she worked at the police.
She also thanked her colleagues in her team for all their hard work and said she plans on getting some rest during her retirement.
