06/10/2026
AT THE AGE OF 6, I FOUND MY HOME AT THE OCEAN VIEW POLICE STATION 💔👮♂️
At the age of 6, I found myself everyday at Ocean View Police Station.
That was my second home. A place where my father served as a Police Officer, a Cleaner and a Fleet Manager.
It was a place where I went to do my homework.
A place where I could share anything that was bothering me.
A place where officers treated me like family.
At the age of 7, I knew everything a police officer should know.
I knew what book to book a gun in and out.
How to book a vehicle in and out.
How to register a suspect.
What book to register an accident report in.
I used to show constables that just came from college around the station and around the area. I would show them where the hot zones were.
Because at Ocean View Police Station, officers used to serve with dignity, love, passion and kindness.
And I fell in love with how my father served. How he always put the community first. Even on his off days, he always had a heart to help the next person, no matter the time or day.
I used to be the most excited young boy when my father arrived at home with a police vehicle. Because I knew, just to make my night or my day, when he leaves he would switch on the blue lights and the sirens... _wheee-whooo_... and off he went to serve. And I would stand there so proud. That is my father. 💙
THEN AT THE AGE OF 9, MY WHOLE WORLD STOPPED.
I lost my father.
My role model.
My beacon of hope.
The only person who wanted me to become better than him.
I can still remember when we just got the phone call. I burst out into tears and ran... I ran straight to the police station. To the only place I knew. Where officers held me and cried with me. 😭
I could no longer cope. I could not focus in school. I dropped out of school.
But what I can say is that the support of Ocean View Police Station didn't stop there.
They put me in counselling sessions to speak about my father and my feelings.
With the support of Ocean View Police staff, they made sure I had everything I needed. School uniform. Stationery. A lift to school and back home everyday. That little motivation that got me through the day.
I had to repeat the grade I was in. And I was bullied by all my friends. I was called a failure. I was called dumb.
I wanted to give up so badly.
But I remembered what I wanted in life. And I pushed through everything.
I completed my primary school and went to high school, where I found all those so-called friends repeating their Grade 8.
I got my first tattoo on my arm. My father's name. So that I could have him as part of everything I'm about to achieve. He will always be with me.
Teachers at school told me I won't become anything in life. And that motivated me to push even harder.
While I was in Grade 8, I saw younger kids that were facing way more difficult situations than I was facing. And I started a Non-Profit Organisation called Kids Are Kids to help those less fortunate kids. To give them hope.
I became the youngest firefighter and Level 3 First Aider and Driver at Emergency Assistance Volunteer Support - EVS
As I was still very far from my dream, the work of my organisation was recognised by radio stations, newspapers and national television news. I was recognised by the school. I was asked to motivate learners at their valedictory. I obtained my Code 10 drivers licence while still being in school. I completed my senior year and was offered a bursary by one of the sponsors of my organisation.
And I turned it down.
Because I had one plan and one plan only. And that was to become a police officer. To serve the way my father did. To put those blue lights on for another little boy watching from the gate.
I applied to become a police officer.
And my application got turned down... because I had a visible tattoo on my arm.
Nothing gangster related. Just my father's name. My role model. My beacon of hope. The only person who wanted to see me better than him. 💔
I applied for other services that were fighting crime. City of Cape Town Metro Police. Law Enforcement. Traffic Services. I went for trainings and never got anywhere.
The closest I got to fighting crime was a security officer. Where I served as a guard, armed response officer, sales consultant.
I saw how friends of mine got cars for their 21st birthday gift and my family was not in the means to do so for me. I was broken.
I attended awards events where everyone's mother and father would come and support their kids 😭😭 and I only had my mother sitting in the seat. The woman who had to play the role of my mother AND my father. And it broke me.
But I'm still here.
11 years later, I'm still standing.Still fighting for those kids who feel what I felt. Still believing that HOLD ON, PAIN ENDS.
Dad, I may not wear the same uniform you wore. But I still serve. Just like you taught me.
I hope I made you proud.
Luke Koeries
Founder: Kids Are Kids
Motto: Hold On, Pain Ends!
