Making South Africa safer for its citizens
Armed security reaction officer Isaac Sekhoaleo grew up in a disadvantaged area with a high crime rate and he knew that he wanted to be part of the solution to save lives
FIGHTING CRIME: Isaac SekhoaleoTHE day starts out just like any other. You wake up, have breakfast and go to work.
Your day is panning out pretty well until you receive a call saying that you've just had an alarm activation at your house.
You can't express the feeling that hits at that moment, knowing that there could be a break-in at your house, with individuals going through your stuff and taking whatever they please.
Don't fear. An armed-response unit has already been dispatched and is on its way to your premises to check things out.
Armed with a mace, a firearm and expert training, the armed reaction officers are out for one thing only - to give crime a hard time.
Isaac Sekhoaleo is a senior reaction officer with security company ADT. He takes his job very seriously and strives to make a difference in his community by fighting crime, even if it means going beyond the call of duty.
He also performs crime-scene investigation, motivating and mentoring subordinates, maintaining discipline , visiting clients and writing incident reports.
"It's long hours which normally start from 5am when I prepare for the day before starting a shift. The shift starts at 5.45am when we have a parade and take over from the previous shift," Sekhoaleo explains.
Unfortunately, as with all jobs, administrative work manages to creep into his day and as a senior officer, this becomes an important part of his duties.
It's after this that the business end of a security officer is handed over.
"Issuing of firearms is one of the important drills and you have to be there physically to inspect the handover procedure. This requires caution and knowledge of handling firearms," he says.
The officers are then sent on their way in their trusty hatchbacks to wait for and to respond to emergency situations in specified areas.
"Incidents differ every day. Some days are quiet and others are very busy, ranging from house burglaries to armed robberies," Sekhoaleo says.
After a 12-hour day of crime-fighting, he and his colleagues return to their offices for the shift change and the procedure starts all over again.
This job requires someone who is "well-established, well-spoken and who is able to work under pressure and can maintain a stable and calm attitude at all times", stresses Sekhoaleo.
A senior certificate, a driver's licence and a Grade A security grading are the general requirements for this job. Faint-hearted individuals need not apply.
"The safety of my clients and being part of the solution to resolve crime within my area of responsibility and of course my salary," are what Sekhoaleo says are the joys of his job.
And as is to be expected, this job carries a large danger factor too, he adds.
"High-speed driving, armed robbers and the possibility of not making a difference is the downside.
"I've been involved in shooting incidents twice. I had to retaliate with maximum force," explains the man that has seen his fair share of action while on duty.
"The working conditions differ every day," he says.
"Some days are enjoyable while others are sad. I take it easy as I believe life is a journey. I enjoy my work very much.
"It's a very interesting environment and you get the chance to work with people from different cultures and with different rituals and attitudes," adds a relaxed-looking Sekhoaleo.
He grew up in a disadvantaged area with a high crime rate and he knew that he wanted to be part of the solution to save lives.
As far as this being his dream job, he says: "At first no. Every child grows up wanting to be a doctor or a lawyer and that was also my dream, but I learned to adapt and now I really enjoy what I'm doing".
So, when that call comes through to spoil your day, it will be comforting to know that someone like Isaac Sekhoaleo will be ready to take crime by the neck and give it a good old "klap". - sacareerfocus
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Papage
And then, what must we do about this? is this news worthy? dont waste our time.Report Abuse
imd
Ijo was about to ask what diffence is dis from ADT..............Great!
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hulas
This sound like an advert more than an news article.Report Abuse
uMnuz
Boring and who cares?Report Abuse
iPhone4
WHAT'S WITH THE SNAKE AD ? HHAYI SOWETAN NEARLY FELL FROM MY CHAIR TOE REMOVE IT HLE AND PAY THE ADVERTISER BACKReport Abuse
Martin_tu
Justin, dude, if you're going to write an advertorial for ADT, at least get someone to proof-read it for you before publishing. "armed with A MACE" refers.Mace. Noun. 1. A clublike armor-breaking weapon of war, often with a flanged or spiked metal head, used chiefly in the Middle Ages. 2. A ceremonial staff carried before or by certain officials as a symbol of office. 3. Billiards . A light stick with a flat head, formerly used at times instead of a cue.
Perhaps rather be safe and call it pepperspray.....
Yours in clarity,
Bra Martin,
Outrider Security Officer Training
Outriderza.co.za
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