Sergeant Damian Theron from Port Elizabeth K9 walked away with the best individual performance award while Port Elizabeth Flying Squad was recognized as the best Unit during Eastern Cape edition of Tracker Awards at East London Golf Course today, 13 September 2019.
Theron, who was still overwhelmed with excitement ran out of words to express his joy for this recognition. All other Flying Squad and K9 Units from other 21 clusters were awarded with certificates acknowledging and recognising their contribution.
The awards are aimed at recognising and awarding exceptional performers in the fight against theft of vehicles.
Representing the office of the Provincial Commissioner, Deputy Provincial Commissioner – HRM: Major General Kunene accompanied by Mdantsane Deputy Cluster Commander – Brig Marinda Mills and other PERS Commanders graced this colourful event.
A candle was lit by Major Gen Kunene assisted by East London Deputy Cluster Commander, Brig Mills, followed by a short moment of silence in memory of all the police members who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The following criteria is used to determine the winners for the Tracker Awards.
-*Number of recoveries using tracker system.
-Number of arrests as direct result of using the Tracker system.
-Outstanding contribution in the area of vehicle crime investigation using the Tracker system.
-Outstanding efforts in coordinating Tracker system’s operational status and recovery actions
-Outstanding contribution to the training of members in the use of the Tracker system.
Mr Ron Knot Craig speaking behalf of Tracker thanked all who worked hard on making the event happen.
“I have a sense of pride knowing that Eastern Cape is represented by such fine police especially in a time when SAPS is gripped with crime and constant criticism. Eastern Cape is a unique province where distance is measured by time instead of kilometres. Distance affect recovery of vehicles.” he added.
He congratulated all winners on behalf of Tracker Board saying every nominee should inspire and encourage others. Expanding on the success of SAPS and Tracker, Mr Knot Craig said between 1999-2008 about 94000 vehicles were recovered through Tracker and 19000 suspects arrested.
“Between July 2018/2019, about 5340 vehicles were recovered, 1037 suspects arrested and 50 firearms confiscated,” he boasted confidently.
Delivering her keynote address for the event, Major General Kunene began appreciating the SAPS & Tracker Awards. “Over 23 years we have been together and today we stand to recognise the strides you have taken in crime reduction, improvement in arrests, crime prevention and recovery of stolen vehicles,” said Maj Gen Kunene.
She said Tracker has been a pillar of support in the fulfilment of SAPS mandate, ‘as police cannot do it alone but through working with other stakeholders. SAPS priorities are to prevent crime, arrest perpetrators and Tracker is assisting us to do that. Through this commitment, the recovery mentioned makes us feel proud. It is an indication that we don’t go backwards but only move forward. Your contribution towards ensuring safety of our citizens also doesn’t go unnoticed. ”
She further thanked the training of members provided by Tracker as well as the bursaries provided for children of ‘our fallen heroes.’
“This ensures that despite everything it is guaranteed that they have a brighter future. During our Excellence Awards we are also grateful that you are one of our guaranteed key sponsors. Today you are recognizing and boosting the moral of our members. Thank you for choosing us as your strategic partner and recognizing our members as they need such acknowledgement and recognition.”
She also used this moment to remind members that September is a police Safety month as well as touching on the current scourge of gender based violence. “Let us fight Gender Based Violence, protect ourselves, women and children. Distance yourselves from xenophobia,” she firmly advised.
She concluded with encouraging trained members to share information and knowledge with other junior members. “Tracker has developed you, so please go and develop your fellow colleagues and ensure that the knowledge is spread.”
Today’s winners will go to a national Tracker Awards to be announced.
Tracker Awards 2019 recognise exceptional performers in Eastern Cape https://t.co/6R0Yy4EK9R #ArriveAlive #VehicleCrime @Tracker_SA pic.twitter.com/cJX5Sdo2hL
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) September 14, 2019
Also view: