Warrant Officer Cheryl Ellis, a K9 narcotics handler
As police continue to celebrate their women who are consistently breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated environment, Phoenix-bred trailblazer, Warrant Officer Cheryl Ellis, is recognised as a female K9 narcotics handler and the SAPS’s first Indian female K9 training instructor.
As one of the 147 female K9 handlers, W/O Ellis, 45, began her career in the SAPS as a police reservist in 1996. In 1998, she was enlisted as a police officer at the rank of constable after undergoing the Basic Police Learning Development Programme (BPLDP) training at the SAPS Tshwane Academy in Pretoria. With service spanning 23 years, W/O Ellis is currently attached to the Durban K9 unit. K9 police officers are members who partner with highly-trained police dogs to execute policing duties.
As a K9 narcotics handler, W/O Ellis utilises the skills of her furry friend to assist in the execution of certain duties, including drug detection and location of cocaine, heroin, mandrax, ecstasy, dagga, nyaope and crystal meth. As a trained K9 member, W/O Ellis is able to communicate what her dog signals to other members during an operation. She said her success is achieved with the help of her K9 who sniffs out the drugs. As a training instructor, W/O Ellis educates and trains both male and female police officers to become dog handlers. Her message to all female officers is to always believe in themselves. “Your first step will be the hardest but the rest will become easier as your journey starts. I believe you can achieve whatever you set your mind to do, as long as you work hard and stay committed,” W/O Ellis said. W/O Ellis and all the female K9 handlers in the SAPS are lauded for their contribution in making South Africa a much safer place to live in.
