Denness a menace to Durban drug lords

By Barbara Cole

Police Inspector Ivan Denness is so thorough when he goes on a raid that locally-based drug lords have nicknamed him "sniffer dog."

He is also known as the "man who works with muti".

And that, says his boss, Senior Superintendent Leon Matthysen, is a good thing.

"He is a threat to them," said Matthysen, praising Denness, who has also been named holiday Cop of the Day by the Front Line sub-forum, which is part of the Point Policing Forum.

The award pays tribute to policemen and policewomen who have "gone the extra mile".

"The criminals do not like him," said Matthysen.

"When searching for drugs, he is the one who keeps going until he finds something."

Denness, who is with the crime prevention unit at Point Police Station, is also good at running after fleeing suspects, his colleagues said.

The Cop of the Day Award is the latest in a long line of awards for Denness.

He has certificates for volunteering to do extra hours, being the Achiever of the Year and for being the Crime Prevention Member of the Year for two years in a row..

Denness is modest about his achievements, however.

"I just love doing my duty," was all he said.