Christian Police Association elects first woman president

Sharing the gospel and promoting Christian values in Saps

The Christian Police Association (CPA) has elected its first woman president — Captain Leonie Peters of East London who is also currently chair of the CPA in the Eastern Cape (EC).

Peters who has been a member of the CPA family for 21 of its 22 years was elected president at the association’s annual national conference at the Woord in Aksie camping site in Kameeldrift, Pretoria on Saturday August 20 — during Women’s Month.

The aim of the CPA is to spread the gospel and openly promote Christian values in the police service with the hope of establishing an effective, honest and corruption-free policing community.

“Truly the CPA is a beautiful family of God and it is our heart’s desire that during this time of racial intolerance and racial tension, people can be exposed to only a bit of the absolute love, peace and divine unity that we as the CPA family know all too well. For it is in knowing the Prince of peace that one finds peace,” said Peters.

She has been a member of Saps for the past 27 years and is a dedicated and loyal detective who through the years achieved many successes with her investigations. She was the first women in her branch to secure life sentences and receive letters of commendation from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Living relationship with Christ
Peters attributes all of her successes to her living relationship with Christ who is her inspiration and hope.

After becoming an officer she continued to invest in the younger generation, imparting her knowledge to them and also intervening in cases where required.

She said she allows the Lord to use her in counselling family members when needed as she is attached to the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit where people lose a loved ones in culpable homicide, murder and suicide cases.

In her role as a CPA member she was always been a firm believer in supporting her leader and has worked hard behind the scenes for many years. At some stage due to promotions/resignation and transfers she was forced to assume the leadership role and was unanimously elected to lead during 2012 when the EC hosted the conference. She retained this position as the election year of 2014 was rolled over.

As the leader of the association in the EC she inspired many of her colleagues and served as a pillar of strength in her role.

Conference highlights
Reporting back on some of the highlights of the CPA national conference from Thursday August 18 to Sunday August 21 she said that worship leader Pastor Berty Cloete of East London, who had not hesitated when asked to lead praise and worship at the conference, had been a blessing, leading members right into the throne room”.

Guest speaker, Lt Col (Dr) Cherisse Le Roux from the Chaplain Service attached to the SAPS Academy in Paarl based her message on Luke 5:4 that says “Launch out into the deep water, and let down the nets for a catch”. She challenged the attendees to go back to their different places and launch out into the deep. She also prophesied over some and prayed for healing for some.

There were also significant bible study and testimony times as well as some free time.

During the bi-annual elections on Saturday a new national committee was chosen and a meeting was held with the outgoing committee and the newly elected team.

The members enjoyed dinner together at a gala event on Saturday evening and attendees — including a delegation from Swaziland — provided entertainment during an evening of song.

During the course of the evening a surprise announcement was made that one person would be blessed with half of his or her conference money back.

“This was done to motivate members to register in time in order to assist with proper planning for the event. It was mind blowing and amazing that the prize was won by a member from EC who was unable to attend the conference due to financial challenges. However, the leadership of the EC requested him to assist in driving one of the vehicles transporting the team and blessed him by paying his conference fees. For him to win the prize, it was a clear indication to the EC Team that God is still God and that it is in giving that you receive,” said Peters.

Tribute
During the gala evening tribute was also paid to Mama Leah, a veteran CPA prayer warrior and intercessor, who passed away on July 16.

“She was a true icon of the CPA. During the programme of the evening four of our stalwarts from Limpopo, Pastors Rex, Walter, Isaiah and Oscar each paid a beautiful tribute to her and took us for a moment to her last service, which could not be attended by most of the CPA family who is widespread throughout SA,” said Peters.

The gala evening concluded with members forming a circle and singing the theme song of the CPA Family “I love this family of God, so closely knitted into one, they’ve taken me into their hearts, and I’m so glad to be a part of this great family”.