Crime fighter’s dedication rewarded
BEING at the forefront of combating crime, KwaZulu- Nat al ’ s Woman of the Year admitted she once considered throwing in her badge but with a little encouragement she remained to fight another day and this month celebrates a provincial honour and 26 years service with the South African Police Service.
Soon after meeting Captain Jayenthee “Cheryl” Pillay at the Chatsworth Police Station on Friday, she declares: “I love my career choice.”
She then talks about the importance of her female colleagues taking up opportunities provided by SAPS to up their skills and on promoting nation building.
It becomes clear that the 46-year-old firebrand of Montford, Chatsworth, really does love her job and she has her dad and brother to thank for helping steer her career choice.
But life, at first, had other plans.
“I believe before we are born, our lives are destined. We have a choice to become who we were created to be and being part of the police was my destiny.”
Pillay was inspired by her late father, Kisten Perumal, and eldest brother, Warrant Officer Richard Kisten, to join the force.
“As a little girl, my father, who was a police reservist, used to sit with my brother and myself and tell us of his encounters, good and bad. I was intrigued and also wanted to fight crime like him,” she said.
“My brother later decided to follow in our dad’s footsteps and joined the police. I can still remember attending his ‘passing out’ parade from SAPS Wentworth Training College in 1981 when I was just 10 years old. This just confirmed what I needed to do with my life.”
Warrant Officer Kisten spent 36 years in the service before recently retiring.
But her plans deviated after completing matric at Chatsworth Secondary School.
“I worked as a researcher for a well known banking group. But in 1990, I decided to take the leap and applied to SAPS unbeknown to my family. I was a successful candidate and was enlisted. My family was elated and so proud when I told them.”
A year later, she underwent basic training at the SAPS Chatsworth Training Academy with 35 other candidates
Her leadership role showed from the onset and she was chosen a troop leader.
Pillay subsequently served as an officer in communities in Gauteng and KZN, including Soweto, Lenasia, Bayview and Malvern.
She was appointed Chatsworth SAPS communications officer in August 2011.
“I have embraced this calling for almost three decades and as a trained officer, I have also embraced the challenges in the operational environment,” she said.
“I attend crime scenes and offer victims of crime support. However, I have also had personal challenges.”
Pillay was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder in 1996 after witnessing two colleagues being shot, while attending to a business robbery.
“They shot through my side of the vehicle but I walked away untouched. My colleagues survived but I had to undergo treatment.”
A couple of years later, while attending to an incident at a hostel in uMlazi, she suffered another traumatic incident, which she declined to speak about, and was hospitalised again.
“At that stage, I felt like throwing in my badge but my son, Joel, and husband, Malcolm, who supported me unconditionally, visited me in hospital with cupcakes and burning candles to celebrate my 20th anniversary in the force. It was then that I changed my mind and decided I am not going to let anything stop me from living out my dream and serving my community.”
Pillay, who holds a Bachelor of Policing Practice Degree, encourages women and fellow female law enforcement, to further their education.
“You should utilise the provisions made by SAPS. Women in the policing environment are given many opportunities to gain knowledge and skills. Never be afraid to shine because someone out there needs your light. Be the kind of woman that when faced with adversity, will continue to embrace life and walk fearlessly towards the challenge. “
She added that as an ambassador for SAPS, she believed it was important to motivate women to dream, believe and achieve as well as empower and support one another to promote nation building programmes.
Pillay, one of the driving forces at the station, said she felt blessed to have received the provincial award and all the other titles bestowed on her.
She was named Sinika Uthando Woman of the Year 2016 for her outstanding contribution and commitment to the empowerment of women and serves as the Women’s Network Champion for SAPS the eThekwini Inner South Cluster, the Inter-Faith Committee co-ordinator and the Employee Health and Wellness sports co-ordinator.
Speaking on her core job description, she said she was tasked with organising and coordinating community events, public presentations and exhibitions.
“I also have to identify and determine community needs, co-ordinate projects, such as sports against crime, and awareness campaigns every month.”
Pillay assists with events on crime prevention, anti women and child abuse programmes as well awareness on domestic violence. She is also involved in conducting seminars at schools, community forums, old age homes and businesses to sensitise them on crime and legislation.
Her vision is to develop a professional cadre of women, who are empowered and would be able to contribute towards quality service delivery.
Pillay enjoys spending time with family, dancing, swimming and playing volleyball where she obtained police provincial colours.