SAPS & Aberdeen Town SPF Visit Aberdeen Primary School

As part of their ongoing commitment to fostering good relations between Aberdeen SAPS and the community of Aberdeen Town, the Sector Policing Forum (Sector 1) organized a visit to Aberdeen Primary School on Monday morning (August 3) during the school's assembly.
This visit was the first in a series of planned monthly talks in which the police will be addressing relevant issues with the children around crime and personal safety.
It was determined that the first address would be informal in nature with a view to introducing the police and the SPF to the children and building a rapport for future talks. In addition, it is of critical importance that children be made to understand that they can play a part in crime prevention and that there exists a place of safety for them in the event of them being a victim of a crime.
The children were addressed by Inspector Renee Sweetland, Sector Manager for Sector 1. She was accompanied by Samantha Jankovich, Chairperson of the SPF, as well as Inspector Dalmé Sweetland and two trainee constables, Constable Mngasi and Constable Kombella.

Inspector Sweetland introduced the group to the children and invited them to ask questions around the law, the work of the police and crime. Once the initial shyness had worn off, a number of questions were asked, which Inspector Sweetland answered thoroughly and in a manner in which even the smallest child could understand. The question and answer session was interspersed with singing by the children, accompanied by clapping and actions performed with great gusto.
Inspector Sweetland also touched briefly on domestic violence, which will be the theme for the next talk.

The Aberdeen SAPS and Sector Policing Forum would like to thank Mrs Van der Merwe, Principal of Aberdeen Primary School, her staff and the wonderful children for giving them the opportunity to address the school.

Article By: Samantha Jankovich