Graaff-reinet police welcome new comms officer on board
Capt Bradley Rawlinson has recently been appointed as the communications officer for the Graaff-reinet SAPS cluster, a new post which has recently been created.
For a while now, Cluster Commander Brig Rudolph Adolph has felt the need to have someone who could speak to the communities on a regular basis through the media.
“I believe that the community should be kept abreast of what is going on in their areas in terms of crime, and I view the media as a critical roleplayer in the fight against crime,” said Brig Adolph.
Capt Rawlinson took up his duties in the cluster office last Monday, 7 January.
He is originally from East London, and after attending the police college in Pretoria, he returned to his home town in 1986 to join the South African Police riot unit.
After three years, he was transferred to Kabega Park station in Port Elizabeth, where he remained for almost twenty years, working in the community service centre.
As a person who loves dealing with people, he thoroughly enjoyed the position, and during this time he was promoted from constable to sergeant.
His next move was a promotional post to Fort Beaufort police station, where he had many portfolios. As a warrant officer, his work included responsibilities for communications and rural safety, and as sector manager.
Capt Rawlinson and his wife Natashja, who is the assistant manager in a furniture store in Fort Beaufort, were married in 1991. They are in the process of buying a property in Adendorp, and will move once Natashja (who is currently still in Fort Beaufort) is able to find a position in Graaff-reinet.
As an ex-provincial rugby player, Capt Rawlinson has had great success coaching rugby at school level, having worked with three Springbok players.
He is hoping to be able to share his knowledge and skills in Graaff-reinet and is really looking forward to becoming an active member of the community.
Brig Adolph is grateful that the cluster office could fill this position with such a competent candidate, and he and his management wish Capt Rawlinson all the best in this important role.