Sergeant Whisky Ramaboka from Elsburg SAPS was awarded runner-up in the Best Vispol Employee of the Year level 3 to 7 for 2021/22.

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He is stationed at the Ekurhuleni District Flash Coordinator sector which also focuses on preventing damage to public infrastructure.

He believes one man can bring a change and for him, it starts with the man in the mirror.

“I come from an area where it can take a week to see a police officer. Disputes in the village were mostly handled by the local chief,” said Ramaboka.

Born and bred in Limpopo he moved to Gauteng seeking greener pastures.

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He started working as a security guard, let alone did he know that one day he would become a police officer.

“Being a police officer is a calling. You have to understand that you are working with different people from different communities and that you are here to serve them,” he said.

“Looking at my academic record you realise I worked hard for this award. I am one person who does not focus on one component. I do what is expected of me.

“I decided to become a police officer, to teach other police officers how to serve people. I went to college and four months into the six months course I was transferred to Elsburg SAPS. At Elsburg I did research on shebeens.

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My research indicated that shebeens have contributed to contact crimes in Elsburg policing area.

“Through my hard work and dedication, I was tasked to coordinate the Ekurhuleni District Flash Coordinator team which deals with firearms, liquor outlets, secondhand goods compliance and the essential infrastructure task team. South Africa is experiencing a big problem with damage to public infrastructure.

“Our provincial commissioner formulated a task team that mainly focuses on infrastructure. I joined because I understand the secondhand goods act. I hosted a workshop, where I shared my knowledge with Ekurhuleni stakeholders.

“Scrap yards have been a major contributing factor to cases of stolen copper, cables and metal around the city.

“The workshop equipped members of law enforcement agencies with knowledge of how to approach scrap yards.

“Before the task team was formed, this type of crime was out of control. There have been significant arrests in the city.

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“Our task team engages with Prasa, Eskom, CPF members, EMPD and SAPS to identify areas with illegal power connections and we deal with them,” said Ramaboka who is studying towards his master’s degree in policing.

“My academics contributed to my success at work. It helped me understand what is expected from me as far as providing services due to courses in organisational behaviour, crime prevention, project management and more.

“My advice to upcoming police officers is to first apply discipline and professionalism and not individualise the duties. When the community sees the blue uniform, they see a police officer.”