Hard work does pay off
I chose the JMPD because it’s always been my passion to be a law enforcement officer
It takes a brave and devoted individual to risk his or her life to save others and that is one of the reasons why officer George Wilhelm was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).
40-year-old George was one of the 28 officers to be promoted recently. His journey as a law enforcement officer began in 1996, when he started working at the Roodepoort Traffic Department. In 1999, the Roodepoort department merged with the Greater Johannesburg Traffic Department, and in 2001 the JMPD was established.
In total, George has served as a traffic officer for 22 years. In 2016, he attained an Advanced Diploma in Policing which is equivalent to a NQF Level 7 qualification. He has worked in various units within the JMPD, including the radio room and crime prevention, and has worked on multiple operations.
“I chose the JMPD because it’s was my passion to be a law enforcement officer from a young age. It’s such a respectful occupation. After so many years in service, I feel honoured that my efforts and hard work are being recognised. I believe that I am a positive asset to the JMPD because I have represented them internationally through my wrestling career,” George said.
George is not only an officer of the law; he is also a professional wrestler and bodybuilder, and an African Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.
He has fought against the former WWE Champion, Jack Swagger, at the Arnold Classic Sports Event as well as against the current WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Bobby Lashley.
In 2018, he won the USN Heavyweight Bodybuilding Championship.
George expressed his sincere gratitude to JMPD Chief, David Tembe, for being a fair and honest person who promotes officers purely on hard work and merit. “My promotion is due to the Chief recognising my commitment to the department. He was only appointed Chief in January 2018, but he has already brought so much positive change to the force. I would also like to applaud people like the Public Safety MMC, Michael Sun and Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar and my management – with this kind of team, we can change Johannesburg for the better.
Superintendent Minnaar said, when asked to comment on George’s promotion, “I am very positive that he will be able to fill his new position as Sergeant. I have worked with him for over 18 years and during that time he has shown a lot of commitment to the community of Roodepoort. He’s a highly disciplined and respectful individual, and his promotion is well-deserved”.
“I am not moved by officers who take part in misconduct and unlawful acts because there is only one way for them and that is out the door – they will be fired. I am moved by officers who work hard and who are dedicated to the job. Those officers’ efforts will be recognised and they will move up the ladder because I promote good work,” said Chief Tembe.
Geroge’s message to the youth is, “If you have a passion for serving and protecting the public, then the JMPD is the place to go.”
In conclusion he said this is only the first step to his next promotion. “I am going to work harder because I know that we have a Chief who acknowledges hard work.”
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