SILENT SACRIFICE

Imagine arriving at a gruesome accident scene or a violent crime scene as a police officer, only to realise that the victims are your own relatives.The shock, the paralysis, the silent scream that you must swallow because the people before you need help now, not later.There is no time to cry, no space to panic, you must remain strong, composed, and professional.The officer needs to attend to the wounded, preserve evidence, and offer calm while her heart breaks quietly inside.Assistant Superintendent Onkemetse Mahatlhe, Station Traffic Officer at Gaborone West Police Station, with 25 years of service under her belt, shared with The Midweek Sun that it is not an easyundertaking.Mahatlhe said police work often forces officers to rely on Divine guidance and discretion.“This is why we need God’s wisdom and intervention; we face so many challenges on the job. When we meet people in the streets, we carry God with us. Sometimes we leave the stone-cold cop in us and use our feelings to forgive or withdraw a case, depending on the circumstances.”She said at Gaborone West, they can set up a speed trap and decide not to charge a motorist, but rather educate them.“Once we warn them, next time they will remember the police showed mercy. Around this time of the year, we would have usually recorded about 15 fatal accidents or more, but we have zero fatalities. People are often shocked that police can forgive, but sometimes compassion teaches better than punishment.”For Constable Gorata Joseph of Central Police Station, with 12 years in service, the Police Sunday Church Service held in Gaborone this past weekend offered a rare moment of spiritual unwinding and reflection.“We are always busy and under pressure. When I face difficult situations, I remind myself that I can conquer,” she said.Her duties in the crime investigations unit often expose her to some of the darkest corners of humanity.“Sometimes we attend suicide scenes or find bodies that have decayed. Even with all the training, it is not easy. We are human, and what we see stays with us.”She insisted that police work is not just a career; it is a calling. It is not about the salary, but doing their work diligently with love and patience, and one needs a resolute heart to do this.Assistant Superintendent Modise Lesole of Kopong Police Station, with 35 years of service, echoes the same sentiments.“Over the years, I have attended so many horrific accident scenes that it has started to feel normal. You find people in unimaginable conditions. We get counselled, but it is still difficult.”Lesole said the public often misunderstands the men and women in blue.“We are not monsters. We don’t enjoy seeing people punished; we just wish to live harmoniously with the rest of the public. The police are not angry human beings, like people always say.It takes wisdom to deal with arrogance, disrespect, and even violence from some members of the public.”He lamented that officers are often undermined, insulted, or even attacked despite risking their lives daily for the safety of others.Police Commissioner Dinah Marathe acknowledged the unseen struggles her officers endure.“Our officers are confronted with pain, trauma, and tragedy every day. They carry these burdens silently. Yet they are human too; they can get stressed, depressed, and even self-destructive.That is why we saw it fit to bring police officers together, not only to fight crime but also to heal hearts and lift weary spirits.”Assistant Minister in the Ministry of State President, Maipelo Mophuting, said police officers wake up each day not knowing what awaits them, whether a tragic accident, a domestic dispute, or a violent encounter with armed criminals.“They see lifeless bodies, shattered families, and abused children. Yet the next day, they wake up again, put on their uniform, and report for duty. They carry everyone’s pain, but who carries theirs?” Mophuting asked.

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SILENT SACRIFICE