Pinelands police celebrate new warrant officers in badge presentation ceremony

Pinelands police officers received their new Warrant Officer badges at a brief ceremony held at the station on Monday, January 19.

Pinelands police station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Darleen Koopman, presented former police sergeants Rene Wally, Johnny White, Tertius Kotze, and Zola Magidigidi with their new warrant officer badges, placing them on their uniforms.

Sergeant Abdul Kolbe, who was absent from the short ceremony, will also receive his warrant officer badge.

Lieutenant Colonel Koopman said it was an honour for her to put the badges on her colleagues who received the warrant officer rank. “It’s important for them to know that they will have extra duties that will come with their rank. It's an honour to know that when I am not here, they will be able to take on that responsibility, and be accountable for their duties and for their members who are working under them,” she said. 

The newly promoted Warrant Officer White has been in the police service for over 22 years. “It makes me proud to move up to the Warrant Officer rank, I am excited for the new challenges ahead,” he said.

Warrant Officer White said he enjoys working as a sector manager at Pinelands police. “I enjoy working with various stakeholders like the Pinelands Neighbourhood Watch and various partners, and that is my passion to serve the community for anything serious or doing normal patrols,” he said. 

Warrant Officer Wally said she has also been in the police service for over 22 years. “It is a big honour receiving my warrant officer rank after serving as a sergeant for a long time. I started doing patrols many years ago, and I also learnt a lot in doing administration work,” she said.

Warrant Officer Wally said the best part of her job was working with the people and serving the public. “That is my biggest honour to advise and inform the public, and if I don’t know, I will find out from my mentors,” she said.