The Douglasdale Police Station closed the year with a heartfelt celebration at Fourways Gardens Estate on December 12, honouring officers whose dedication, sacrifices, and bravery have shaped the safety and well-being of the community throughout 2025.

Hosted in a warm, festive atmosphere, the event not only marked the end of the year but also recognised police officers who cracked major cases, brought perpetrators to justice, and consistently went above and beyond the call of duty.

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Station Commander Brigadier Veeshani Arikum used the occasion to reflect on the often unseen and demanding reality of police work, one measured not in months but in crises managed, victims supported, and dangers confronted daily.

“In law enforcement, the calendar year is not just a measure of time,” she told officers. “It is a measure of calls answered, crises averted, and communities protected. When most citizens are safely with their families, you are running towards danger.”

Arikum reminded attendees that behind every arrest, every resolved case, and every patrol lies a long-standing commitment that frequently comes at a personal cost.

Officers work through holidays, miss family milestones, and carry emotional weight few can understand.
“A commitment that is often thankless but always vital,” she said.

She described the past year as one that demanded extraordinary resilience, with officers navigating complex and evolving social challenges while upholding their mission under intense public scrutiny.

Yet through each shift and each investigation, she said, members demonstrated unwavering professionalism, courage and care for the community.

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“You are the thin blue line that ensures order, safety, and justice prevail,” Arikum added. Several officers were formally recognised for cracking significant cases, work that not only removed dangerous individuals from the streets but restored confidence and a sense of justice among residents.

But Arikum emphasised that policing is a team effort: from call-takers whose calm voices guide citizens through emergencies, to patrol officers confronting unpredictable dangers, to detectives piecing together the puzzles behind serious crimes.

“Most importantly, we celebrate each other’s return home at the end of shifts,” she said, underscoring that the safety and well-being of officers remain paramount.

Despite the ceremony’s reflective tone, it was also a festive gathering. Tables overflowed with food and beverages, and officers used the opportunity to unwind, something Arikum encouraged wholeheartedly.

“Please enjoy this day. You have earned this gracefully. Eat as much as you want and go home safely.”

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