EDITOR, The Tribune.
On the very cool night of January 8, 2015 I sat waiting quietly and comfortably in the Quakoo Street Police Station for a relatively small matter to be resolved.
The experience, however, helped open my eyes to the intensity and enormity of unending complaints the busy police force have to face and respond to on a daily basis. I was not there very long before a distraught mother walked into the station bewailing the fact that one of her sons was dead (”It doesn’t matter ‘what’ he was!” she was quick to note through a consistent flow of tears), another imprisoned and that the life of the third had just been threatened by a gunman she said was no stranger to police.
The officers knew she was hurting, though the mother herself had said it several times through her agonising display of mournful hysteria. It was quite amazing and refreshing, I must add, to see how the officers allowed her to vent her frustration, unabated. It proved to be an excellent move!
She had calmed down considerably before sergeant 1299 Rolle invited her to the back to take her complaint.
Moments later, she re-emerged with quiet sobs, but clearly relieved that someone had taken time to listen and also that an official complaint had been lodged.
Soon after, the sergeant walked outside and stood near the entrance to the station, seemingly taking in a good whiff of fresh air.
“How do you deal with such intense and highly charged situations? How do you do it?” I asked, clearly intrigued by years of skill.
His short response was just as telling as his cavalier demeanour: “One day at a time, my friend, one day at a time.”
I am quite certain that the commissioner is aware of the proven quality of his committed and tenacious workforce. The sergeant was on duty that night with three polished female officers behind the counter; one slender and fair-skinned and the other two of a darker hue; none were rookies, all skilled and highly competent professionals. Commissioner Greenslade, if those officers, on duty that night, were an accurate reflection of the Quakoo Street Police Station at large, then I am left only to conclude that that station is “A very fine feather in your huge hat!”
RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME
Nassau,
January 18, 2015.
Comments
TheMadHatter 9 years, 2 months ago
Absolutely correct ! While we mainly hear about the rogue officers who deal drugs or are involved in some kind of mischief - they are few and far between.
The vast majority of police are hardworking and concerned members of their own communities and are VERY VERY UNDERPAID for their labour.
I am sure they are gratified knowing the positive difference they are making, and that in itself is a form of payment - but it doesn't help them when they get their shopping cart up to the check-out counter.
This is what people need to better understand when they see millions here and there wasted by Government - in for example buying inefficient engines for BEC or paving a road only weeks later to dig it up again because somebody "forgot" to put in another cable that was needed.
Those millions of dollars could be divided up between our police and our teachers to make us into a more civilized society that appreciates those who labour tirelessly for us. Add to that nurses at the clinics and hospitals and also those very highest slaves on the slave-worker totem pole being the members of the Dept of Social Services. Their pay is so low (when computed against ACTUAL hours worked vs clocked) that they are practically paying the Govt to allow them to work for us.
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