New Akasia police station commander sets bold plans for safer communities

The Akasia Police Station has welcomed its new station commander.

Colonel Aaron Molefi Setlhalogile’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the community grappling with various crime challenges.

After five years as station commander in Koster, North West and a track record of community-oriented policing, Setlhalogile has stepped into his new role with a clear vision: to rebuild trust, reduce crime, and improve service delivery at the station.

He said he is determined to bring a sense of discipline, accountability, and visibility to policing in Akaisa.

“We can’t fight crime if the community does not trust us. My priority is to make sure that Akasia is out of the top 30 stations for contact crimes when the next statistics are announced.

“We want to strengthen partnerships with the people we serve. Together, we can make Akasia safer,” he said.

A key part of Setlhalogile’s vision includes reviving sector policing and ensuring that patrol vehicles are active and visible in all hotspots.

“I have been in law enforcement for 33 years now, and one of the crimes that was happening when I started was the snatching of cellphones.

“I saw that I should venture into this career so that we prevent crime before it escalates, because you steal a cellphone today and tomorrow, it’s hijacking and murder.”

He said a lot is expected of him as a station commander, especially in a crime-ridden place such as Akasia.

“I came this side so that I can put my experience into practice. I must help reduce crime in Akasia.

“The area has high contact crime incidents, and it is my responsibility to reduce the crime and ensure people feel safer when walking in the streets,” explained Setlhalogile.

Acknowledging the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) in the area, Setlhalogile said all stakeholders need to unite behind the fight.

One of Setlhalogile’s plans is the review how the station operates.

“It starts from within. Officers must be held accountable for their conduct. We cannot have a situation where members of the public come to open cases and are turned away or treated with disrespect.

“There will be no tolerance for misconduct. Everyone under my command must be a servant of the people and wear this badge with honour,” he said.

To improve turnaround times for complaints and emergency responses, Setlhalogile revealed that he is working on improving communication systems at the station and ensuring that the Community Service Centre is always staffed by capable and helpful officers.

“People must not wait hours to open a case or feel ignored when they call for help. We are here to serve,” he added.

As he settles into his new role, Setlhalogile’s challenge will be turning plans into action.

With a strong emphasis on community involvement, transparency, and restoring professionalism within the ranks, Akasia may be entering a new chapter in the fight against crime, one built on trust, co-operation, and consistent leadership.

His message to the community is clear: “Crime cannot thrive where the community and police are united. My office is open, and I am ready to serve.”

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