An officer and a gentleman

SAGES believe that angels whisper the name of a child to his parents, revealing the child’s divinely ordained character, destiny or life task – a prophesy uttered every time the person is called by his or her name.

This rings true for the newly appointed KZN Provincial Co-ordinator for Human Trafficking, Captain Sterling Titus – a police officer with an exemplary 30 year record in the service and, by his own admission, a people’s person, deeply commitment to his faith, his family and his calling.

‘Sterling’ means of high quality or pure and also a name given to pre-medieval refiners of silver, while ‘Titus’ means ‘honour’ in Greek.

Judging by his history in the force and his passion to serve and develop people, Captain Titus is indeed living up to his name.

He spoke to the Zululand Observer at his introduction at the KZN Human Trafficking, Harmful Traditional Practices, Pornography, Prostitution and Brothels Task Team on Thursday, preparing for the challenging new role which will require all his compassion, knowledge, strategy and experience.

With human trafficking now a multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise, enslaving more people than ever before in the history of the world, none but the best law enforcers in the country stand a chance to combat the crime.

Tactical analyst
Presently at the Provincial Office attached to Priority Crime Centre as a tactical analyst, Captain Titus says after three decades in the force, SAPS is his second home.

‘I joined SAPS in 1987. I was then posted to Durban Central, where I worked on crime prevention at the Area Commissioner’s office, eventually ending up at the detective branch where I spent the next 14 years investigating serious crime, including drug related murders.

‘In 2005 I was seconded to the Organised Crime Vehicle Task Team as an investigator, and in December that year promoted to the rank of captain to Umbilo SAPS.

‘I spent two weeks at the detective branch and was then recalled to the Organised Crime Vehicle Task Team, where I was appointed as Section Commander.

‘In 2011 the Hawks was established. I was incorporated into the Priority Management Centre as an analyst.’

Today, Captain Titus is the co-ordinator for human trafficking, serious and violent crime and vehicle hijackings and the Acting Section Commander for the nodal point.

The youngest of six children, Captain Titus says he is a ‘people’s person’.

Being a constant refiner of his own skills, he believes in mentorship and empowering others.

‘I love engaging with people and I am very active in church and laying foundations for men’s formation groups.
‘Men should take their rightful place in the home.’

‘I hope to add value and service,’ he says of his future goals as co-ordinator, in which he will rely on his people skills and love for the community.

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