Melkbosstrand Junior Station Commander Kelly-Anne Louw (15) tells Melkbos.net why she cancelled her holiday plans to spend time at the police station.

“I’ve wanted to be a cop since I was little. My grandmother often asks me, “Why do you always want to do a job that is dangerous?” I just love children and I can’t take it when adults smoke tik in front of their children. I’ve told some of them to stop. It means a lot to me knowing that I have a chance to help children. Some of them start to smoke dagga from the age of 8-10.

Auntie Debbie (Constable Debbie Alard) asked me if I wanted to come and help her. I remind auntie Debbie of things and go with her to places like Milnerton police station and the Department of Justice in Atlantis. She’s an unbelievable woman. She is the most entertaining person in the police station, no offence meant to the others.

I’m one of five children. It’s difficult being the youngest, because you always have to be the least. My mother Jackie Elizabeth works as a domestic, but she studied home nursing. My father is a musician. He plays guitar and the keyboard. I get my music talent from him and my mother. From her I get my singing talent.

We go to a Pentecostal church in Atlantis; it’s called ‘Jesus, Onse Heiland.’ It’s a powerful place. I don’t sing in the choir, however. I’m too shy!

I’ve decided that I want to be the first one in our family to pass matric and go to college. I want to have my own house and car. As soon as I turn 18 I will come and join the police. If it does not work out for me, I will look for something else. I will go overseas and I will take my mother and perhaps also my grandmother and my nephew Joshua with me. He’s one years old now. He’s my sister’s baby.”