A South African woman police officer commanded the SA Police Service (SAPS) at a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) challenge in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier in February.
Warrant Officer Elma Kemp led an all-male South African team that took part in the sixth UAE SWAT Challenge along with over a hundred SWAT teams from all over the world. They included five all-women teams and all used the Challenge to show their tactical abilities, endurance and teamwork. As leader of the seven-strong South African team Kemp showed, according to a statement, that leadership is forged in action, not defined by convention.
Thirty-four year-old Kemp earned her place in South Africa’s elite Special Task Force, a unit that makes no distinction between men and women in training or operations. She underwent the same grueling selection process as her male counterparts, proving her capabilities through rigorous tactical, endurance and combat training.
“In 2022, I was the only woman accepted along with 10 men for the Special Task Force in Pretoria. Over 1 500 candidates – men and women – applied that year. After months of relentless testing 110 were selected, including three women. In the end, just 11 of us made the final cut.
“Now, among 60 elite officers, I am the only woman who stood the test of time, proving that strength and determination are not defined by gender,” the statement has her saying.
Kemp’s journey to the UAE SWAT Challenge was no accident. Every officer representing South Africa underwent advanced training and met stringent selection criteria. Kemp not only qualified- she was chosen as team leader.
”Being a woman in a high stakes, physically demanding role isn’t just about keeping up – it’s about excelling. You must be as fast, strong and resilient as your male counterparts. You cannot be a burden; you must be an asset. That’s the only way forward in this field.”
Despite a strong performance, Kemp’s team did not win. Competition was fierce with 103 teams bringing new strategies, advanced training and an unyielding drive to win.
”This year, teams were faster, stronger, and more tactical than before. We trained relentlessly for two months leading up to the challenge and while we improved our performance, it wasn’t enough to claim top spot. The bar gets higher every year and we’ll be back stronger, with refined strategies and greater determination,” according to the statement.
“In my country, there is no official distinction between men and women in law enforcement, but the reality is that the standards are brutal. The physical endurance tests, combat drills and tactical training are punishing. Being the only woman in my unit meant I had to work twice as hard to prove myself. I had to earn my place every day. Over time, as I excelled in operations and tough missions, perceptions changed. My team now sees me as an equal, and that’s what matters most.”
