THE station commander for Montclair Police Station, Colonel Trevor Small, has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier at the Durban Central Police Station. He will assume his new role next month.

With extensive experience in policing and strong connections within the community, Colonel Small is optimistic about stepping into his new role, continuing to promote the ethos of Batho Pele (People First).

His last day at the Montclair Police Station will be at the end of this month, and on April 1, he will begin his duties at the Durban Central Police Station. In 2020, he was appointed as the station commander of Montclair Police Station.

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He believes that working as a collective and taking ownership of the policing precinct are key to combating crime.

Small urged the community to unite in the fight against criminal activities and to resist divisions that hinder collective progress.

“There are extremely motivated and skilled personnel at the Montclair Police Station,” he said.

Despite the numerous challenges that arise in policing, Small firmly believes that fostering unity within the community is essential for overcoming obstacles that could impede the police’s ability to serve.

“I have been a serving member of the South African Police for the past 37 years. The community must continue to be the pillar of support and strength for the new station commander at Montclair Police Station. They have imparted wisdom, support, and knowledge during my tenure here. I urge the team to offer the same support to the new management, remembering that this is a calling from God to serve and protect. We must always uphold the ethos of the police service: Servamus et Servimus — ‘We serve, we protect’,” Small added.

Small, a resident of Wentworth, has worked at various police stations throughout his career, including Wentworth, Brighton Beach, Cato Manor, Sydenham, Malvern, the inspectorate, Chatsworth, and Montclair.

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He holds a master’s degree in policing and has held a variety of roles in crime prevention, investigations, the inspectorate, and administration.

According to Small, his broad knowledge of the various facets of policing made him the ideal candidate for the position of Station Commander at one of the country’s largest police stations.

“I applied for the rank of Brigadier at the Durban Central Police Station and was successful. With my vast experience in policing, I believe I can make a difference in the precinct. The most valuable asset is the human asset. I take over from my predecessor, who has made a difference in the precinct. The response now rests upon my team and myself to serve and protect.” he added.

“The police derives its constitutional mandate from Section 205 of the Constitution, requiring it to prevent, combat, and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure inhabitants and their property, and uphold and enforce the law,” he said.

Colonel Velu Moodley has been appointed to act until a station commander is appointed.

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Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the police’s constitutional mandate: 

1. Preventing, combating, and investigating crime:

• The police are tasked with preventing, combating, and investigating all forms of crime, ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

2. Maintaining public order:

• The police play a vital role in maintaining public order, ensuring that citizens can live and work without fear of unrest or disorder.

3. Protecting and securing inhabitants and their properties:

• The police are responsible for protecting and securing the people and their properties – creating a safe and secure environment for all.

4. Upholding and enforcing the law:

• For effective policing, the responsibility rests upon a station commander to build and maintain stakeholder partnerships with the Community Policing Forum, spiritual crime prevention forums, Department of Safety and Security, all government departments, NGOs and other stakeholders directly or indirectly contributing to the reduction of crime.

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