Brigadier embraces new role
BRIGADIER Vishnu Naidoo’s last few years in the SA Police Service will be spent in his hometown of Durban.
Naidoo, who spent 16 years in the communications division as the SAPS’s national spokesperson, has been appointed the head of the KwaZuluNatal inspectorate. This meant relocating from Johannesburg.
Naidoo started training at the Pinetown police station and has served more than 35 years in the police service.
He said his journey back home was sentimental.
“I started as a student in 1986. I then proceeded to a police college in 1987, and I graduated as a constable in December 1987.
“I returned to Pinetown as a constable in the district commissioner’s office. In 1990, I was promoted to sergeant and worked in Pinetown West and Marriannhill.
“In 1992, I was asked to be part of the communications team, and in 1995 I was deployed as the provincial spokesperson in KZN. I rose up the ranks to superintendent until 2005. Then I was promoted as national spokesperson as senior superintendent.”
Naidoo said he was informed on January 3 that he would take up his new position this month.
“The move to Durban was not too much of a hassle as it was just me and my wife. I have two adult children and two grandchildren. Our children were sad to see us leave, but they could not move with us because they’ve got lives of their own.”
With five years until retirement, Naidoo said he could not be happier to spend these years in Durban.
“It has always been my desire to come home and finish off my career where I started, particularly at the regional level because there is a lot I wish to fulfil over the years. (I want to) make sure that our members are compliant so that they can be of service to our community. This is my main goal.”
Naidoo said his new role entailed conducting inspections at police stations throughout the province.
He said it also involved ensuring that their members were compliant with their national instructions and regulations.
“This means my role is to guide members on how to execute their roles and responsibilities. I would have to guide them through their procedure when a case is opened, our members’ roles in court, and what and how they do in court. There is a multitude of aspects that are dealt with and each one of them has to be according to our national instructions and regulations.
“Ensuring that our members comply with these instructions and regulations is one of the few ways we can ensure that we properly serve our communities.”
Naidoo said his years of experience had prepared him for this new role.