| SAPS pays tribute to women in law enforcement: meet Lt Colonel Louw, a member of the Public Order Policing Unit | |
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| Date Published | |
| 2021/08/31 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement PRETORIA - As the country marks the end of women's month, the South African Police Service (SAPS) held a parade to honour all women in blue who continue to make their mark in a traditionally male dominated environment. Among those standing on parade was Lieutenant Colonel Kabous Louw. The member is a Public Order Policing (POP) Unit member attached to the Western Cape POP Unit. Born and bred in Villiersdorp in the Western Cape, the member has 30 years’ service having joined the organisation in 1991. The member holds a Diploma in Police Administration. Public Order Policing (POP) Unit members are responsible for Public Order and the policing of public gatherings, major events and public protests. On a daily basis, Lt Col Louw attends to both peaceful and violent protests where she contains and disperses large crowds. Her main goal in so doing is to restore public order. With 30 years’ experience in the Unit, the member has policed thousands of protest actions. Over and above her duties to police crowds, she is a qualified police nyala driver and a water canon operator. To disperse crowds, POP members utilise rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas to manage crowd situations. Water Cannons are also utilised in dispersing crowds. Removing various obstacles that protestors use to barricade roads such as rocks, trees and debris are a familiar site for members in this unit. POP units operate alone to disperse crowds that are manageable but depending on the threat and risk to public safety, additional members from various units trained in crowd management will be called in to act as a force multiplier and will only react and respond on the instruction of the POP Operational Commander. When POP members arrive on a scene of an unrest situation, they will take full control of the situation. Lt Col Louw says it’s important to possess excellent negotiation skills, strategic management skills and crisis management skills when working in this environment. "One must be able to negotiate with protestors so as to diffuse the situation. Before we take charge during a protest, we must take into account the situation in the ground, we must be able to determine whether our action will make escalate the situation or diffuse it so strategic decision making skills are important". Over and above her duties, the member is a two time world champion for Shore Angling. To Lt Col Louw and other female Public Order Policing (POP) Unit members we appreciate the work that you do. Ends
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