New commander has ‘zero tolerance’ for criminals

The new station commander at Reiger Park SAPS warns criminals or those who have an intent of committing crime across the precinct that he has a ‘zero tolerance’ for anyone involved in crime – even within the police ranks.

Lieutenant Colonel Lionel Chetty has taken the reins on his new patch effective from November 1.
He brings vast experience in policing, which he has gained through his over 33 years of working at different police stations in Gauteng.
His appointment as a Reiger Park SAPS station commander followed the departure of his predecessor Lieutenant Colonel Bongani Dube, who got promoted to a new position in the Sedibeng SAPS district.
Top priorities
Chetty said he used his first weeks to meet with the station management team and some of the relevant stakeholders, who provided him with insights into what was happening in the area, as far as crime was concerned.
Armed with this understanding of the community, Chetty mapped out the top priorities for the station.

They include intensifying the fight against drugs, criminal gangs, illegal mining, illegal firearms, domestic violence, and non-compliance among liquor outlets and spaza shops.
“The most important things are to serve the community professionally and eliminate corruption. I already expressed in our meeting my displeasure of corruption. If you are in that business, you don’t belong here with me.
“I warned members to stay away from corruption because it negatively impacts the effectiveness of our efforts to serve and protect our community.
“I reminded members there were other legal means to make money, and corruption is not the only way. It should not be the way because it is like gambling with your career.

“Above all, we are here to serve the public and I will remind our members we are not above the law. Humble yourself in serving the community, but with criminals, we are not humbling ourselves.”

The new leader said he also believes in staff motivation through various techniques to ensure everyone feels valuable and recognised for their part in the team.
“These include helping those battling to fulfil their responsibilities per the expectations, identifying strikers and commending them on their outstanding performance – like bestowing awards certificates, issuing incentives, or team-building activities.”
Making strides
Chetty said they made great strides in removing dangerous weapons from the streets, with the removal of three firearms during his second week at the station.

The new leader is determined to decrease crime with his blend of strategies. These include working with the community and other stakeholders, regular operations targeting crime hotspots, closing illegal liquor outlets and dealing with non-compliant outlets.

“I have an open door policy, and encourage residents who want to share their concerns through the CPF to knock on my door, because it is important to understand from the people we serve what is troubling and concerning them and then through partnership work out how we can tackle those issues as well.”
Work history
Chetty worked at Sebenza police station where he started as a constable and for 14 years he worked his way up through the ranks to become a warrant officer.
At this station, he served in different tasks, including CSC, fleet and supply chain management, crime prevention, a stint as a detective, and promoted to crime prevention unit commander.

As a captain, he was later assigned to serve as an operation commander at the Midrand SAPS, where he served for 14 years before he moved to Ivory Park police station.
He later joined Edenvale police station and served as Vispol commander before his current new position.

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