Investment portfolios by day, crime-fighting by night

To the casual observer, police reservists in full uniform would be indistinguishable from their permanent force colleagues.

Police reservists undergo full theoretical training, firearms testing and psychological evaluations to ensure they can be trusted to protect the public.

Head reservist, Captain Troy Laas has been taking up this voluntary challenge for the past 27 years. “No two days are the same,” beamed Laas, whose pride in his position is evident in his every action. An investment manager by day, this Featherbrooke-based Bruce Wayne does not need a mask at night, but simply respect for his uniform.

Reservists are required to serve at least 16 hours a week and Laas typically picks Friday and Saturday nights as that is when crime is at its most severe. “I like a challenge. I like to think outside the box and I like seeing a problem and finding a solution,” he said, when speaking of his motivations to continue a service that offers no remuneration.

“It’s about supporting the community and doing one’s part to give back,” he asserted.

With the South African Police Service calling for applications from aspiring reservists, Laas is firm in his message that it is not a quick or easy process. He warned, “It can take almost a year from applying to being accepted, and then the full training can last up to a year and half. It is also not a platform to a permanent position. You really have to do it for the right reasons.”

During the week Captain Troy Laas looks after the financial well-being of his clients, but when in uniform he looks after the well-being of us all.