See the person behind the uniform too

Madam – Your article “Police nab 28 suspects over the weekend” refers.

I am so happy to know that the Newcastle police are being active in the fight against crime! Police officers in general often get a very bad report in the media, and this is now the second week I am seeing something positive come out of the Newcastle SAPS (the first being their initiative to collect water for their brothers in blue in Vryheid who are suffering with the drought).

It is very easy to lambast an entire department for the shortcomings one may have had with one lone officer. I wanted Newcastle to know of my story.

A few months ago I was read-ended by an obnoxious motorist who simply could not be bothered to follow the rules of the road. This driver then proceeded to act like nothing was wrong, tried to pay me off instead of wait for the police to arrive, and also verbally abused me despite the fact that there were witnesses who saw the entire thing and knew he was the one at fault.

It took me only two phone calls to reach the police and ensure someone came out to the scene, which happened only a few minutes after the accident.

The police who responded were very quick to realise the man who rode into me was actually drunk in the middle of the day, and they took him into custody after making sure I was safe and uninjured.

They helped me through the process of sorting out insurance and opening the report, which I did with help because I was quite emotional at this point.

I think most residents are quick to point fingers when it seems like the police don’t work quickly enough for their own liking, but they do not often see the person behind the uniform and the stigma.

Police officers are human just like you and me, but the difference is that a lot of them wake up in the morning and actively decide to put their lives on the line to protect us every single day. That type of bravery and compassion should not be reduced to one bad experience.

J Vermaak