Nongqai Vol 13 No 7A – Dames

MY CAREER IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICEAure (Haughton Badenhorst) Coetzer

I started my career as Aurè Haughton on 12 January 1994 at the then Pretoria Police College, so when South Africa became an internationally accepted democracy in 1994, when President Nelson Mandela was elected as first President of the new South Africa, bringing the era of "apartheid" to an end, I was four months a member of the South African Police.

June 1994 I was placed at my first station - Swartruggens Police, as Charge Office Commander.The new democratic order brought about many changes in the country and had a substantial impacton policing.

As a 19-year-old I had to grow up fast to keep up with all the changes. I was transferred to Rustenburg Police in 1995. I started after hours with my studies in Policing, to empower myself to perform my duties more effectively. During 1996 I got married (my surname changed to Badenhorst) and I got promoted to Sergeant.

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In 1997 the then Area Commissioner, Commissioner Scholtz, asked me to transfer to DisciplineManagement at Marico Area and be part of a three-member disciplinary trial team for Marico Area,which I did, and where I served until 2003.

In the meantime: *I got promoted to Inspector/Warrant Officer in 1999. *I’ve finished my Diploma and my BA degree in policing *I gave birth to my two sons - Izak in 2001 and Tiaan in 2002

I only left Marico Area in 2005 when my husband started another job in Limpopo and I transferred to Namakgale police, where I was placed as Human Resources Commander. In 2007 my husband started another job in Rustenburg, and I was transferred back to Rustenburg Accounting Station where I was fortunate to work with a lot of hardworking, loyal members that I already knew.

During 2008 my husband had his first- of several heart attacks, and we lost our house. He eventuallypassed away in 2014 of a heart attack.

At the end of March 2017, I had to make a very difficult decision to resign due to financial difficulties.It was a very hard decision to make because I am a police officer at heart. November 2017, I gotmarried again and my surname changed to Aurè Coetzer.

My previous Commander, Lt Col. Maimane helped me to apply to be re-enlisted and I was fortunateto start on 1 January 2018 at Boitekong Police as Acting Human Resources Commander under thecommand of General Adams. At this station I've learned a lot of life's lessons.

I've worked very hard and was fortunate to be promoted to Captain at Koster Police as Support Commander in October 2019, where I am currently stationed and serving with great pride. At this station, under the command of Lt Col. Setlhalogile, I get the opportunity to Act as Station Commander when the opportunity arises, and it help me to learn and to grow.

In my police career I saw it all, the good, the bad and the downright ugly. Sometimes I wasemotionally and physically drained.

Although the Government empowered me to compel individuals to comply with the law, allowed meto stop and search, detain, cite, arrest citizens, and use the necessary physical force, as a policeofficial I respect life and liberty.

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I am sensitive and inclusive, treating everyone with dignity andrespect guided by the principles of justice.

I take pride in whichever department I am serving, and I amcommitted to excellence.

I've learned to stand by my fellow officers in the face of danger and in extreme difficulty. To have compassion, empathy, mental agility, kindness, patience and self-discipline because. I AM A POLICE OFFICIAL

Aure Haughton Pretoria College 1999.

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