Capt Alie van den Berg, the commander of Ekurhuleni Sub District Task Team, has retired after 28 years of service to the SAPS.
The 54-year-old went into early retirement on March 31 and will be relocating to KZN with his wife, Elaine, who worked at the Crystal Park SAPS.
Van den Berg has been described as a man of integrity, dedication and courage.
Before joining the police, he had spent two years in the army and six and a half years in the mines.
He decided to join the SAPS and studied for a diploma in police management.
The Springs resident joined the police service in 1992 at the Benoni Police Station, where he was stationed for 19 years.
The young constable soon specialised in house break-in and started to investigate homicides.
Van den Berg left the Benoni SAPS to become the acting branch commander at Putfontein SAPS before being promoted to Crystal Park SAPS.
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He said he will forever be grateful to everyone he has worked with.
“We never had a commander and member relationship, we were always a family and had a good relationship,” said van den Berg.
One of his fondest memories is putting criminals behind bars.
“In most serious crimes, such as murder or rape, the victim doesn’t always get closure. That’s why when I get such a case I always made sure I don’t rest until a suspect is arrested.”
His lengthy career in the police force has earned him the Detective of the Year Award in 2002, the best Vispol team in the cluster, and several monetary awards.
He encouraged the community to put more trust in the police, assist them and become part of the CPF.
“I also want to thank the police members, CFP, security companies and the community for always being willing to assist me whenever I investigation,” said van den Berg.
He said he will miss his colleagues.
“They must keep on the good work and continue to fight the fight. They must not relax as they know why they chose this path.”
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