Charlene Van der Berg is the only female diver in her unit in South Africa. She is known for her resilience and ambition and takes on duties such as managing water-related incidents and executing rescue missions, often diving in zero visibility and at depths of fewer than 10 meters. Van der Berg is driven by a sense of purpose to help people, and her dedication has earned her awards, commendation certificates, and recognition for her exceptional service. She is an inspiration to all women, especially those seeking to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Charlene Van der Berg is a police officer in the Water Police and Diving Services Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS). She is the lone female police diver in her unit and embodies resilience, ambition, and determination. Her duties include managing water-related incidents and executing rescue missions, often in zero visibility and at depths fewer than 10 meters. Van der Berg’s dedication to her role extends beyond rewards and praises as she is driven by a sense of purpose to assist people.
Charlene Van der Berg, a Springs native, is far from a typical woman, and even further from a typical police officer. As the lone female police diver in the Water Police and Diving Services Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) located in Sedibeng, Van der Berg embodies determination, resilience, and ambition. The month dedicated to women finds SAPS celebrating the accomplishments of its female members, particularly those like Van der Berg who skillfully tread and excel in areas traditionally dominated by men.
In 2002, Van der Berg, then a constable in training, started her incredible journey with SAPS. Being deeply passionate about diving, she ascended ranks and initially served in the SAPS Bike Squad. After completing a Commercial Divers Level IV Course in 2014, she transitioned into the water-based world of the Water Wing.
The duty of a police diver, which Van der Berg executes, is not an easy one. Duties span from managing water-related incidents to executing comprehensive search and rescue missions. Most of her work is performed in water with zero visibility, a demanding scenario she overcomes using solely her sense of touch, often at depths fewer than 10 meters.
She willingly accepts the inherent challenges of her role as she’s called upon to venture into extreme water conditions. Her driving force, she conveys, is the possibility of saving lives. She stated, “If there is a potential to save a life I never hesitate to jump in”.
Van der Berg’s logbook tells the tale of about 120 dives so far, which equals approximately 64.5 hours of underwater adventures. These consist of retrieving bodies and evidence, rescue missions, and training exercises, all of which have helped her evolve into an experienced and proficient diver.
One of the defining moments in Van der Berg’s career was in 2016 when she was part of the team assigned to search and rescue missions during the Johannesburg flash floods. Despite the severe water conditions and the strong currents, the team managed to rescue a vast number of people and retrieve numerous vehicles.
In 2018, Van der Berg and her team were once again needed during the flash floods in the Free State province. They heroically rescued children from a marooned bus and risked their lives in rapidly moving water to save a father and his daughter, exemplifying bravery and commitment.
These acts of heroism have not gone unnoticed. Van der Berg and her team have received financial awards and commendation certificates in recognition of their exceptional service. However, Van der Berg’s dedication to her role extends beyond such rewards and praises. She’s driven by a sense of purpose, an innate desire to assist people, and the capacity to provide closure to families by returning their lost ones.
Despite the inherent risks and dangers that come with her role, Van der Berg remains undeterred. She perceives her work as a police diver not as a profession, but as a personal mission which she passionately embraces. “After my first dive I knew I had not only found my calling; I had also discovered a world full of unlimited possibilities,” she revealed.
Warrant Officer Charlene Van der Berg is more than just a police officer or a diver. She personifies courage, resilience, and dedication. She stands not only as an esteemed member of SAPS Water and Diving Services, but also as a source of inspiration for all women, specifically those striving to disrupt the status quo in traditionally male-dominated fields. As we commemorate Women’s month, we applaud women like Van der Berg – women of substance, women in uniform, who persist in overcoming obstacles and challenging norms.
Charlene Van der Berg is a police officer in the Water Police and Diving Services Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS). She is the lone female police diver in her unit and is known for her resilience and ambition. Her duties include managing water-related incidents and executing rescue missions, often in zero visibility and at depths fewer than 10 meters.
Van der Berg started her journey with SAPS in 2002 as a constable in training. She began as a member of the SAPS Bike Squad and transitioned into the Water Wing after completing a Commercial Divers Level IV Course in 2014.
Van der Berg faces several challenges in her role as a police diver, including managing water-related incidents in zero visibility and at depths of fewer than 10 meters. She overcomes these challenges using solely her sense of touch. Additionally, she often works in extreme water conditions and is called upon to perform search and rescue missions.
Van der Berg’s notable accomplishments include her participation in search and rescue missions during the Johannesburg flash floods in 2016 and the Free State province flash floods in 2018. She and her team have received financial awards and commendation certificates in recognition of their exceptional service.
Van der Berg is driven by a sense of purpose to help people and is passionate about her role as a police diver. She perceives her work not as a profession, but as a personal mission.
As the only female police diver in her unit, Van der Berg is an inspiration to all women, especially those seeking to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. She personifies courage, resilience, and dedication and stands as a source of inspiration for women in uniform who persist in overcoming obstacles and challenging norms.
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