Kirstenhof police station awarded Best Lieutenant Colonel Station in Western Cape

Kirstenhof police station has been recognised as the Best Lieutenant Colonel Station of the Year in the Western Cape, an accolade highlighting the station’s dedication, resilience, and strong community partnerships.

The award was announced at The South African Police Service (SAPS) Western Cape Excellence Awards, on Saturday, January 17, where the Provincial Commissioner acknowledged exceptional performance and service excellence across the province.

District Commander Brigadier Ntungele formally accepted the award on behalf of the station.

Warrant Officer Deidre Solomon, communications officer for Kirstenhof, said the achievement is particularly significant given the ongoing challenges faced by the station, including manpower constraints.

Despite these hurdles, Kirstenhof police emerged ahead of numerous other Lieutenant Colonel-led stations across the province.

“The success of the station is strongly linked to effective collaboration with the community, including the Community Police Forum, neighbourhood watches, and private security service providers,” Warrant Officer Solomon said.

“These partnerships have played a critical role in crime prevention, information sharing and fostering trust between the police and the community they serve.”

Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Edgar Jones, who is set to retire at the end of February after 40 years of service, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his team and the broader community.

“This achievement belongs to every member and every community partner who stood with us through challenges and successes alike,” he said. “Without their commitment, this milestone would not have been possible.”

Geoff Bettison, chairperson of the Kirstenhof Community Police Forum (KCPF), added that the award is a milestone not just for the police, but for the entire precinct.

“This award validates the perseverance of every volunteer and officer in our precinct,” he said. “We have proven that when all agencies pull in the same direction, we don’t just curb crime; we set the provincial standard for excellence.”

Mr Bettison said the accolade also reflects the “Kirstenhof Model,” a collaborative approach in which the police, the community, neighbourhood watches and security providers operate together as a unified force against criminal activity.