As Brig Frederick Smith, who heads the Hawks' tactical operations unit, hangs up the badge, he leaves behind a distinguished career in law enforcement, marked by a spotless record and an unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical service.
Smith’s career of more than 40 years in the SA Police Service (SAPS) reads like the script of an action-packed thriller. From dismantling drug laboratories to leading high-stakes operations against violent criminals, the 60-year-old veteran has dedicated his life to combating organised crime and making South Africa safer. As he steps into retirement, Smith reflects on a journey defined by unwavering integrity, global recognition and an unrelenting passion for justice.
“One of the things I can say is, never in my career have I taken bribes. When I sleep at night and somebody knocks at my door, I know it's not to come and pick me up. I know I have a clean record, I was never charged criminally or departmentally,” he said.
Smith, who has dedicated his life to the police service, reflected on the intensity of operations and the heartbreaking reality of losing colleagues in the line of duty.
“Unfortunately, we lost some members. In the past three years alone, three of our officers were fatally wounded during operations. The toughest part of my job has always been going to their families — to the wives and parents — to deliver the devastating news that their loved one didn’t make it back.”
“Big men cry, and especially with us, it's so emotional when you pick him (a member) up and think he is still alive, even if guys are bulletproof [wearing bulletproof vests] and your head is not protected by bulletproof,” he said.
I always tell the team in the morning to be ready to greet their families and to let their wives know that when I call, it’s not a courtesy or happy call. It’s a difficult reality of this job.
— Brig Frederick Smith
Smith emphasised the importance of preparation and awareness in such a demanding profession.
“I always tell the team in the morning to be ready to greet their families and to let their wives know that when I call, it’s not a courtesy or happy call. It’s a difficult reality of this job.”
He shared the emotional toll of informing families when officers are critically injured or lose their lives in the line of duty.
He recalled one such moment when his colleague, Joe Coetzer, was shot in Limpopo during an operation.
“In a unit like ours, we’re like family. When you’re in the field, you have to trust the person next to you. You can’t face heavily-armed robbers alone — it’s a team effort. But when something like this happens, it happens so fast. One of our colleagues lost his life during an operation, and it was devastating. You cry, and then you have to visit the family with a pastor, trying to offer support,” he said.
Smith said the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, always ensures their presence at such funerals, underscoring the close-knit bond within the unit.
“It’s very emotional because these are people you work with every day — you sit in the office with them, drive with them. After a shooting like that, morale takes a huge hit,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Smith remains committed to the mission of law enforcement.
“We are the last line between criminals and the public. It is our duty to make a difference and protect the people,” he said.
In December, his team was awarded the minister's award at the Hawks' prestigious awards ceremony.
He has also previously received a ministers award in 2023 for best operational team in the country for the several many arrests they made, including an operation where 19 suspects were fatally wounded during a shoot-out in a takedown operation in Polokwane.
Smith joined the service in 1983 as a constable. After just six months in uniform, he was transferred to the Narcotics Bureau of SA, where he served as a narcotics officer for 15 years, eventually rising to the rank of major.
When an organised crime unit was established by SAPS, he joined the division, serving there for seven years and being transferred to the undercover office where he conducted undercover operations.
Smith estimated that during his career, he closed about 57 drug laboratories, with the biggest one in Mozambique.
He has had opportunities to train with the FBI and also work with the Scorpions.
One of Smith's functions was to co-ordinate escorts for suspects all over the country from prison to court.
Reflecting back on his career he notes it was a team effort.
“It's not a one man show, and this is our team. The whole team went there with lots of intelligence ... And that was, I think, the success in all of our operations,” he said.
The seasoned policeman said it was always his dream to become a cop.
“I came out of school, and my father was a policeman, my uncle was a policeman. I joined SAPS just after I left school. I have never done any other work, it's my expertise, I am a seasoned police cop.”
The 60-year-old, who still “feels very young”, said though going on retirement, he is not ready to give up his work.
“I am going to miss this. I am not going to close down all my work, I will be involved in private investigations, I have already been registered as a private investigator. I will also continue with my hobby of racing pigeons which is nearly a full-time job.”
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