With close to 30 years in the police service, Lt Col Cleo Arnoldus began her police training in Hammanskraal, Gauteng in 1995 and later joined the front line at Steenberg Police Station.
Grassy Park Police Station has its first woman station commander.
Born in Lavender Hill where she completed her schooling, Lt Col Cleo Arnoldus is the new acting station commander.
She said she is proud of where she comes from. “It doesn’t matter where one grows up; just make the right choices.”
With close to 30 years in the police service, Arnoldus began her police training in Hammanskraal, Gauteng in 1995 and later joined the front line at Steenberg Police Station.
Her achievements include recognition in the provincial police awards.
In 2022 she walked away as runner-up for the Woman of the Year Award and was a recipient of the Visible Policing Officer of the Year Award last year.
Arnoldus is also part of “The Women’s Network of SAPS” to try and make a difference in the lives of women officers via mentorship.
She encouraged residents to be involved when it comes to fighting crime.
“The main purpose for us is to serve the community with commitment, integrity and excellence. Grassy Park has a wonderful team, but cannot do it alone. We need our partners in the different spheres to assist.
“We need to work together as a community to educate children and empower our youth so they know there are many possibilities out there, instead of gangsterism.”
The main areas she plans to focus on in her new role are contact crime and drugs.
“I believe, with the help of our communities, we can curb drug abuse and eliminate drug dealers. We urge our communities to realise we do not only arrest people, but also teach and help them.”
Meanwhile, after 42 years of police service former station commander Dawood Laing handed the baton to Arnoldus on retiring in December.
On a trip down memory lane he recalled how his passion for the police service began as a young child.
“As a young boy a Sgt Wessels, who lived down the road from me and my family, was a dog handler. Being a dog lover I used to run down and wait for his vehicle, which was the highlight of each day.”
In 1981 Laing began his journey in the police service.
“On 7 December 1981 I walked into the Thomas Boydell Building and took the oath to serve and protect, and today after 42 years I want to believe I took that oath very seriously and I made a difference.”
In 2018, Laing was appointed station commander at Grassy Park.
His most memorable and proudest moments include receiving his lieutenant’s rank at a parade in Paarl as well as a team-achievement award.
His worst moment was losing a young police officer to murder.
“My worst day was attending the murder scene of Ashwin Pedro on 1 December 2022. I have attended many scenes of police officers losing their lives and paying the ultimate price. He was very young.”
His message to other officers is, “treat every victim as if they are a member of your own family.”
