In a room filled with the Police Executive and members of the Senior Management Team, there was laughter and a touch of bittersweet emotion as Ms Tshepo Bakae stood at the centre of attention, composed and humble. On 13 August 2025, she marked the end of a defining chapter in her career, bidding farewell to the Botswana Police Service (BPS), where she had served with distinction since 2012 as Executive Secretary to the Commissioner of Police. She now moves to the Ministry of Sports and Arts, where she has been promoted to the position of Chief Executive Office Secretary to the Minister.
For Ms Bakae, the transition is the culmination of years of dedication, loyalty, and commitment to excellence. She joined the BPS after working at the then Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, stepping into the demanding environment of law enforcement administration. Over the next 13 years, she served under three Commissioners of Police: Thebeyame Edward Tsimako, Keabetswe Makgophe, and the current Commissioner, Dinah Marathe.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony at Police Headquarters, Commissioner Marathe praised Ms Bakae’s unmatched work ethic, noting that she served the organisation with loyalty, dignity, and dedication. She described her as a disciplined professional who never compromised her position or the integrity of the BPS. Deputy Commissioners echoed the sentiment, calling her an epitome of humility and the steady force that kept the administrative engine running, even during challenging times. They recalled her meticulous enforcement of office protocols, including the proper procedures for entering the Commissioner’s office.
The farewell was both a celebration and a tribute to the values Ms Bakae embodied. Colleagues shared stories of her ability to anticipate the Commissioner’s needs, adapt to last-minute changes, and bring a sense of order to every situation.
In her speech, Ms Bakae described working for the BPS as an honour, calling it more than an organisation but a family. She said she had been inspired daily by the dedication of the men and women in uniform and expressed gratitude for the friendships, lessons, and memories she takes with her. She assured Commissioner Marathe that she would continue to uphold the discipline and values instilled in her during her time at the BPS.
