Captain Mark West signs off
He made personal commitments to coaching rugby at the Umkomaas Primary School and also coaching soccer players at local football associations. Sports enthusiast and neighbourhood watch activist, Bob Cuppusamy, stated that he had always held Mark in high esteem because of his many admirable qualities.
Popular Umkomaas policeman, Captain Mark West, retires at the end of June after a service spanning 37.5 years. During his police career, Mark received many accolades and compliments, even from the courts, for his investigative skills.
Apart from his police work, Capt West has been a familiar figure assisting at sporting and community events such as the annual Khanya Hospice Fair in Craigieburn.
He made personal commitments to coaching rugby at the Umkomaas Primary School and also coaching soccer players at local football associations. Sports enthusiast and neighbourhood watch activist, Bob Cuppusamy, stated that he had always held Mark in high esteem because of his many admirable qualities.
Mark is a most likeable, caring and helpful person, who has identified himself with local communities. According to Mr Cuppusamy, Mark is a good friend and braai master extraordinaire.
Most importantly, he is known to be passionate about his work and gives of his best as a policeman. The staff and community acknowledge this with respect. Mark was born in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape and joined the police service on December 8, 1981, as a student police officer at Fort Beaufort. He spent the following year training in Pretoria and thereafter received practical training in Johannesburg.
In 1983 he underwent border training in Maleoskop and was then posted to the Umkomaas SAPS.
In 1984 he was appointed relief station commander at Paddock. In 1989 he completed a course in riot policing.
In 2000 he participated in an operational management programme at the University of Durban-Westville where he received a certificate as the top student. At the Umkomaas SAPS, he worked in various capacities such as crime prevention, administration, and since 1996, he had served in the detective branch. Mark also served on the border with stints of three to four months.
He was also acting branch commander at Umkomaas SAPS.
Capt West stated that the highlight of his career was the time he spent working with the Scorpions and the British Police on international fraud cases. MP Narend Singh commented that he had known Capt West since his appointment to Umkomaas Police Station.
Mr Singh wished Mark well in his retirement and looked forward to his continued support at Khanya Hospice events.
On behalf of the staff of the Umkomaas SAPS, Station Commander, Col Mabida, commended Mark for his invaluable service to the South African Police. Col Mbida said that Mark would be sorely missed and wished him well in his retirement.
