Proud, dedicated and alert. These three words best describe Sergeant Tebogo Dipoko (42), a police officer and crisis negotiator in Ikageng, Potchefstroom.
We spoke to the man who had a hand in Ikageng police station being voted the country’s best station a few years ago.
Born and bred in Ikageng, the father of two says he always knew he wanted to be a police officer when he got older, despite his extremely shy personality. “I always wanted to assist the community where possible,” he added.
Sergeant Dipoko has been in the police force for a total of 18 years. Aside from fulfilling general police duties, he is also responsible for cases involving GBV (gender-based violence), kidnapping and suicide, to name a few.
Before joining the Ikageng team in 2017, Dipoko worked as a police officer in Stilfontein since 2003. Before that, he was involved in music and soccer. Even then, he knew he wanted to serve the community.
In his years in the SAPS, 10 as a crisis negotiator, Dipoko has learnt to be vigilant, disciplined and aware of his conduct at all times – on and off duty.
“Having to deal with numerous cases automatically places me in the spotlight. It is, therefore, of utmost importance that I am continuously respectful and disciplined, regardless of where I am,” he says.
Simultaneously, Diphoko must be alert and have active listening skills as a crisis negotiator; anything can occur anywhere at any time. It is, therefore, important that one can multitask. “As a negotiator, all skills are put to the test at once,” he said.
“I have to listen attentively during a hostage situation, think of the possible next questions and, most importantly, ensure the safety of the victims involved,” he explained.
“A simple example is being able to notice when someone shows signs of domestic violence, like when some-one, who is usually talkative, suddenly withdraws during interactions,” he explained.
While Dipoko says one case of domestic violence can be more severe than the next, he sees and treats all situations equally. However, being a father himself, he is especially touched “whenever kids are involved”.
“One of the most haunting cases was when a husband was trying to stab his wife and she placed their infant in front of her, hoping he would come to his senses. But he stabbed the baby anyway,” he shared.
Even having dealt with such extreme cases, he says he handles each case as seriously as he should and not based on the situation’s intensity. As much as Diphoko comes across as someone a person can talk to, he adds that he almost always has to gain the victims’ trust.
It is evident from how Sergeant Dipoko speaks of his work that he is extremely proud of what he does.
“I always try and encourage young people to join our team. Instead of criticising, they should help us and carry out their job with dignity,” he added.
“I’m so proud to serve this organisation; I wear my uniform with pride every day,” he concluded.