For nearly 40 years, Lt Col Anton van den Berg has dedicated his professional career to the Pinelands police, both on the boots on the ground force and as the Station Commander for the past four years.
“I have been a policeman for 37 years, to be exact,” he told People’s Post in his office on the second floor of an orderly, neat police station located in Jan Smuts Drive in Pinelands.
Van den Berg retired at the end of March, saying: “I will certainly miss all the staff serving the station, the close-knit community and the thrill of working under pressure.”
Lt Col Anton van den Berg (in the middle) will miss his dedicated staff and fellow officers at Pinelands police following his retirement from a 37-year-long career in the force.PHOTO: Heleen Boshoff
He was born in Beaufort West in the 1960s and grew up in Goodwood and Parow. The decision to sign up for the service, he lightheartedly recalled, came about as young men of his generation had limited options, facing conscription in the military.
“In matric, I remember, about 20 of my friends and I wondered as to what we would do after school. It was either join the military or consider enrolling in the police force and return home after six months of training in Pretoria.”
And so, on 1 January 1987, he was sworn in at Goodwood police. To date, only about five of the group of friends remain in the service.
A few days later, he boarded the train to Pretoria’s Police Academy and was stationed at Pinelands upon his return.
“Back then, the police station used to be at the building now known as the Ou Meul bakery at Central Square. They converted the station into a restaurant, and you can still see the bathrooms with steel doors of our old holding cells,” he reminisced.
In 1989, Van den Berg was promoted from Constable to Sergeant, and in 1994 he progressed to being Vispol policing commander, followed by his promotion to Captain in 1997.
“In those days, police officers still had the opportunity to sign up for training and courses in order to climb the ranks. Nowadays, your time served, successes and other criteria determine your rank,” he added.
Van den Berg is a husband to a private investigator, whose identity he wishes to protect, and a 26-year-old son working in the IT industry.
After all these years, Van den Berg has had about 60 trainees under his belt as a Senior “buddy” and police partner.
“For me, two things make a great officer: First, crime prevention is the focus determined by one’s sharp eye for any suspicious signs or behaviour on patrols. Small things point to a suspect. Secondly, service delivery is of top priority. Be transparent in sincere efforts toward the community. And when faced with complaints, follow up and call the complainant immediately.”
One of the many breakthroughs in cases cracked that left a lasting impression on the Lt Col, was a wave of home invasions during the early 2000s that targeted elderly women in Pinelands.
“These incidents were horrific, which entailed numerous elderly women being beaten, raped and murdered. It was also one of those cases that testified to the community’s character as we all banded together, with volunteers gathering at the school along with Pinelands police and others to orchestrate a plan.
“This collective effort eventually led to five troubled juvenile suspects being tracked down and arrested.” After these critical arrests, he said, this disturbing crime wave in Pinelands came to an end.
For young and aspiring police officers, Van den Berg deems it necessary to weigh the benefits of working as a public servant to those that any other sector might be able to offer.
“All jobs have their up and downsides... but you shouldn’t become a policeman or woman if it serves as a mere day job.
“This job is done only through passion and the will to make a difference.
“And in serving your community.”
Van den Berg confirmed that a new station commander is to be instated in May.
“All police stations were ordered to have a full-time station commander before the national elections commence.”
While taking photos of the old cells at Ou Meul in the town square, People’s Post spoke to a number of senior citizens very familiar with their retiring local police station commander.
Two sisters, Philippa Roosboom and Lesley Jennings, were pleased to speak to his character: “I’ll tell you, he was one of those who was always there for the public.
“Like when my sister had a nasty incident at her home, he was one of those who came and participated in every supporting effort,” Roosboom said.
“He was never above anyone else,” added Jennings, “he was always there for the people.”
Looking forward to days of peace and relaxation, Van den Berg will be biding his time on the golf course.
“And my other fur child Ilha will also be right by side as I settle into a life of leisure.”
