This was the strong message that came from Superintendent Ndumiso Toto, speaking to trainees and visitors at the open day at the Bishop Lavis Training Institution on Saturday.

Toto is from the national head office’s career management division, at the career development section and his focus area is on marketing of all SAPS careers.

Addressing the trainees, he stressed that they were at a very important part of their careers, and that they were an important part of the vision of the SAPS to ensure the safety of all the inhabitants of the country.

“Even at this stage of your training you are a valuable asset of the force.

“Today you are busy with your training, meaning that tomorrow you will be going out there and be accountable to your community on matters of combating crime, arresting suspects and going to court to support your findings to get them behind bars.

“There are still lots of obstacles ahead for you, and sometimes you will have to go beyond the call of duty, but if combating crime is your passion, then you’re in the right place.

“We need your passion because sometimes it seems that we are living in days where crime is above us.

“We are like people swimming in an ocean of crime and criminals seem to be making a mockery of the law.

“Where are the good people of this country, what are they doing to be part of crime prevention?

“You are part of that community and in your duty you must inspire others to want to rid their communities of crime,” he said.

He also pointed out that passing out from the institution was the first step in finding a career in the police services that could go beyond crime fighting but is still an intergral part of the service.

“All of you must find your special place in the police, if it is out on the streets fighting crime then that is it, but our career centres are there to help you find that something special that you want to do.

“Some of the fields that you could go into include our flying services, forensics, education and training, engineering and even doing editing in our media department.

“I won’t even go into some of the more exciting units like the dog unit, diving services, and the special task force, but it is all there waiting for you.

“You have to make that choice, but you also have to realise that there’s still a lot of hard work ahead, and you must be committed to meeting the requirements for your chosen field,” he said.

The superintendent also thanked the parents and families of the trainees for allowing their sons and daughters to become an integral part in the fight against crime.