Top cop has put the community first
IN HIS 40 years of working for the SA Police Service, Majorgeneral Bala Naidoo has been booked off sick for only two weeks.
That’s how committed he has been to policing throughout his decorated career.
The 59-year-old Wyebank resident, who is preparing to retire later this year, was lauded at a medal parade at the Chatsworth Police Training College on Friday.
The top cop, who currently holds two titles, as the KZN deputy provincial commissioner of detectives and the acting deputy commissioner for visible policing, said he had mixed feelings about having only a few months left in the SAPS and that he had been on a remarkable journey during his tenure.
“Being a policeman was all I dreamed of. Ever since I was a little boy, this was the only option for me,” said Naidoo.
“At the age of 19, I pursued my passion and was the only Indian trainee with 39 whites. I had to learn Afrikaans and even write my exams in Afrikaans. It was a challenge, but I got through,” he said.
Although he is to retire at the end of this year, he is not going to stop notching up achievements.
He is studying towards his master’s degree in public administration through the University of Zululand.
His message to aspiring police officers was to work hard, put in the hours and remember that being a police officer was all about serving the community and putting the needs of others first.
“It took me a long time to get to where I am today. It didn’t happen overnight. It took hard work and dedication,” said Naidoo.
“Many new police officers want to climb the ladder too quickly and they need to understand that these things take time,” he emphasised.
He said his plan was to empower and educate as many police officers as possible before he retired.
“I am confident that when I leave, I will leave my work in the capable hands of those I have been able to work with and mentor.
“We have so much talent in the police force – there is plenty of talent that needs to be developed,” he said.