True Police Story - Mrs. Quow: I am going to break Constable: Allan H. F. Palmer

It was an uphill road in my short struggle to becoming a police officer. If I was a man, who did not have a fight in me; I would have never been awarded the wonderful opportunity and the esteem privilege to serve the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the capacity of a police officer and thus make a contribution to nation building in this area. The training program was an easy one and it posed no physical or intellectual challenged to me. In that I excelled in every aspect of the police training program. 

One afternoon, I was summoned to the commandant of training: Mr. ASP Christopher’s office, because he discovered, I did not want to and I was not making any preparatory effort to participate in the finals of the events I qualify for. To make and participate in such events increases ones chances to be the best recruit to whom the commissioner’s baton is awarded. I qualified for the self-defense finals, best kit finals, best Jill finals and I was always in the top three or four students academically. I did not want to participate or compete for the top spot, because I knew; the police authorities, were not going to give that spot to a Bottom Town man. and it would not have mattered if I actually won that award by a landslide. 

This was evident by what Superintendent Osborne Quow said, when he came to visit and speak to the class of which I was a student, at the Police Training School. Mr. Osborne Quow was a Superintendent of Police (SOP); he was the most feared senior officer within the police force. By his actions, he was the self appointed chief disciplinarian in the organization.

There were tow side to Mr. Quow's disciplinary actions: on one hand, it was good for maintaining a high standard of discipline to Safeguard the order that was required to ensure the institution be effective and the community is properly served. On the other hand, it was unfortunate because, SOP Quow, took the disciplining of the men and women, to the point where, he literally became a bully to some of the men; and in some instance could have be categorized as a blatant abusing his power. 

The police force is an adult organization, which is also a male dominated organization. It was a shame to see grown men; fathers and husbands and a lot of the police officers, who pretended to be bad men on the street; were literally struck with fear and trembled at the mentioned the name of Mr. Quow.

The superintendent literally had his own police force within the force. Those people who were closely associated with Mr. Quow, could not do any wrong; they did and said as they liked and they were above the supervision of their supervisors and there was nothing anyone could have done about it. His men were also assured of quick promotion and in some case, they had to contribute financially, and on a monthly basis for the unjust promotion they were given.

I will attempt to give you an idea of just how fared Mr. Quow was and the level of fear he instills in the members of the force. Once there was an incident in the community of Barrouallie, where a violent mentally deranged man bearing a machete in his hand, ran into an occupied house. When the occupants of the house saw the crazy man whom they knew, they all run out of the house, leaving a sleeping six months old baby behind asleep and undisturbed by the commotion which brought the police to the scene. When the police arrived to the scene, the police recognized the man to be a violent man when he was in a mentally declined state. From the looks of things, the man have already reached to that state where he was violent. 

Sergeant (Sgt.) Walker was the senior officer on the scene and an assessment of the scene; it was concluded by all involved that the situation was too dangerous, for the local police in the community to handle. This was because of their limited training and the limited resources they had access to. As a result, Sgt. Walker called his unofficial Commandant SOP Quow, and he updated him on the state of the affairs and requested that he (Mr. Quow) dispatch the Special Service Unit to deal with the matter. 

Mr. Quow said to Mr. Walker whilst on the phone, using his unique pitch and voice: “Walker Get the child! Walker I say to get the child! Mr. Walker said ok Sir! Sgt. Walker hanged up the phone and even though he was untrained in such art, the Sergeant functioned with greater skills than a tactical specialist. Immediately, the petrified Sergeant found a means how to and got into the house undetected, once in the house, Mr. Walker crawled on his belly to where the child was, he retrieved the sleeping child from off the bed on which the child lay unaware of the danger that had forcefully became a tenant occupying the house where he so peacefully lay. 

After Sgt. Walker retrieved the sleeping child from the bed on which it peacefully lay. Sgt. Walker then retraced his crawl, this time he was carefully carrying the precious package in his hand: the six months old baby. It is only God alone that knows, why that child did not wake up during the whole event, of being moved and carry, or why he did not cough, sneezed, cry, or just say gu-gu as most babies does even while the sleep. Thus, alerting the mentally deranged man of Sgt. Walker’s helpless presence. But thank God the baby did not make a sound to betray his rescuer’s undetected presence. As a result, Sgt. Walker exited the house, unknowing to the mentally deranged man who was in the same bedroom. 

When Mr. Quow showed up to address the class at the Police Training School, the entire training staff was on edge. He did two things, that made it clear to me that I was not wanted and therefore, will not be given the top award upon completion of the program. The first thing he did during his speech, was to looked at me, pointed me out, asked me my name and declared, your eyes look like you smokes Marijuana.

When Mr. Quow said that, I looked at him with a tense smiled that distorted my lips and I shook my head from left to right in sympathy for the man and his remarks. I wanted him to get a message, that I was not afraid of him and his prejudicial remarks. Then he went on to say, I know most of you have set your hopes on going to specific department, but that is not how it is here. You will be placed where you are needed not where you want to go. I suspected that his reason for visiting and his little pointless chat was aimed at me. 

Such remarks, like the Marijuana smoking remark, when made by Mr. Quow, took on a life of its own and normally follows a police officer throughout his or her entire career. It was also the beginning of a police career with a target on one’s back. As in the case of Maxwell Springer, an intelligent young police officer, that most of the management of the police though was an intellectual threat to their existence.

A target that exposes one to suspicion and ill treatment, by all especially the members of Mr. Quow’s force. Later an instructor at the training school tried to use Mr. Quow’s remark against me, starting the expected trend. I quickly, put that to rest by telling the instructor, who cares what Mr. Quow say, is Mr. Quow God. Unknowingly I struck a chord of reality, that put that instructor in check. That was the last time I have ever hear that remark again. 

After a lengthy debate with Commandant Christopher, he rationally, went against my suggestion, which was to let one of the other guys who really wanted to participate in the various competitions, get the opportunity too, by taking my place. Mr. Christopher said, you have to remember this is training, I have to follow the rules, so you can get an idea of what will be expects of you in the police world, and another thing he said in sticking to his decision. The other people who will like to be in the finals did not qualify for the finals; you did! 

I was correct in my assessment, because even after a stellar all round performance in training school, qualifying for all of the competitive finals, and placing 3rd or 4th overall academically, I was sent to the transportation division where my responsibility was to be a police driver. While there were a few people on the program who have never passed a weekly test or the final exam; were sent to specialized department. 

I graduated, and I left the Police Training School and I was now assigned to the Transport Division at the Central Police Station in Kingstown. Across the yard from the Transport office in the second floor of the Victorian building that is a part of the police compound at the Central Police Station was Mr. Quow’s office. From his office he can see everything that goes on in the common area. Every now and then you can see him opening the window to his office, where he will call someone of shout some order to someone. 

Grown men sitting on the bench in the yard will get up from their seat and literally run because they did not want to be seen by Mr. Quow. Because to be seen by him, may mean some form of punishment, a day off or a weekend forfeited, even an instantaneous transfer. In my mind it was demeaning to see my colleagues so afraid of a man. I personally never felt the urge to ran at the presence of Mr. Quow and I did not run; I will just walk away after everyone have speedily abandon me or I will remain sitting were I was. 

My lack of reverence for him annoyed My Quow, and he opened his book of intimidator tactics, and began his little game to instill fear in me. In the morning when Mr. Quow arrived to work, there was a police officer already waiting to meet him in his assigned garage, to open his car door for him, take his flask and Brief case from his car and take them to his office.

On such a mornings when he knows I was working, as if he did not know who is working at the transport division; he will slyly ask who is working at transport this morning, he will summon me to the vehicles that was assigned to the transport division and complain about something and instruct me to get it done. 

If he sees me in the yard he will quickly leave his office to accost me in the yard, and find something to criticized, because I was always neatly dress and clean, there was hardly anything about my appearance for him to attack. If he did not see any pen in my pocket, he will say Palmer where are your pens; and if I did not have any pens on me at that point and time he will make a big deal out of thing like that. 

I was determined to stop this regular accosting and foolish nagging was getting too overbearing and a lot of people noticed it. At the time I did not know what was happening and what was hoped to be gained by Mr. Quow’s attitude towards me. This had became a trend and I accidentally overheard some NCO's speaking about what Mr. Quow was doing and why he was doing it.

However, what I did know was; I was not going to be washing any police officer personal car, I was not going to be demeaning myself by running like the others whenever they saw Mr. Quow, and I was not going to become one of Mr. Quow’s errand boys that spend their days off on his farm or running other errand for Mr. Quow. 

I was getting teed off at Mr. Quow’s behaviors toward me, I needed a solution and I needed one quickly. And then I got an idea. It was the only course of action I could have think of. The following morning, I got up early, I complete all of my responsibility to hand over to the next shift. I began to clean a transport right in the area of Mr. Quow’s assigned parking space. I was cleaning that transport for almost an hour. No one knew what I was up to but I was there waiting patiently for Mr. Quow to get to work. I did not intend to leave that spot until I have executed my plan. 

While there, I saw one of the officer on duty at the Fire Department, sprang to his feet and hurriedly open the gate to the fire station; the entrance where Mr. Quow normally enter the police premises. This could only mean one thing, Mr. Quow have arrived to work. He was the only senior officer who demanded such, service. Mr. William Harry did not demand such reverence and he was the Deputy Commissioner of Police, and neither did Mr. Randolph Toussaint who was the Police Chief. 

I was still keeping a visual on the gate; I wanted to know the exact time of Mr. Quow’s arrival. Still pretending to be washing the vehicle, I saw a familiar car drove slowly into the drive way passing the gate that gives access to the police compound. Mr. Quow was in love with the accolades of his post. As a result, he stopped his car, to ensure the police officer who opened the gate in order for him to enter on to the police compound, pay him his tribute with a salute.

After which, he drove his car slowly up to the area of the reception desk of the Fire Department and stop there, to ensure the None Commission Officer on duty there, called the men at the fire department to the attention position; while the NCO offers him a tribute in the form of a salute. The initial tributes was important to the superintendent to begin his day. If one thing does not go as Mr. Quow expected it to; everyone was going to have a bad day especially those who messed up. 

I watch as Mr. Quow car drove up the little incline that lead from the gate, then across the yard and into the parking area that was reserve for him under the over hang of new Criminal Investigation Department building. By this time, his orderly was on his way over to collect his brief case and his Termus; Whose responsibility it was to take them to his office. This morning I beat the orderly to Mr. Quow’s Car, I politely open the door to his car, as his orderly would have down. I saw a victorious smile erupted on my Quow’s face, as if to say, I think Palmer is actually coming around to how we do things here. 

I stood at the side of the car that leads out of the parking garage while Mr. Quow existed the car, there was nowhere from him to go; there was a concrete column that blocked his way and I was standing in the only way out of the area. Looking at him directly into his eyes with no sign of weakness, I said "Mr. Quow I want to have a word with you." 

Mr. Quow was still wearing the smile of victory on his face; then said, "what do you want Palmer." Still maintaining eye contact I said to him, ever since, I came to work here, each time you see me, you have something negative to say to me. I want you to tell me what have I done to you or what have I done wrong. Mr. Quow was taken aback, and the confident smile he had on his face, immediately disappeared and it was replaced with a look of shock and disbelieve, at what he was hearing. He looked at me confused. 

No one was ever been brave enough to confront Mr. Quow about such things before. For the first time since I got to know Mr. Quow, the always loud, always vocal Superintendent, who struck fear into the hearts of grown man was at a loss for words. From his reaction you could see Mr. Quow look for words to justify his behavior toward me but his mind betray him. 

By this time his orderly observing the confrontation, quickly grab what he came for and disappeared. He did not want to be a witness to what was taking place. Mr. Quow was still stumbling over his tongue, trying to find the right words to justify his behaviors towards me. His lips were making efforts to move but they were only quivering; they were froze, leaving his mouth in the open position and they did not really move; and nothing come out of his mouth. 

Then suddenly I saw movement of his lips and I actually heard words. the words said "Palmer just do what is right and fear no man”. I quickly reply: what is what I was doing all the while but you were still picking on me for no reason at all. Then Mr. Quow said to me well continue to do what is right and fear no man. I quickly reply Ok Sir, I will. I moved out of his way, then Mr Quow, reached into his car took out his cane and cap proceed to walk to his office as if nothing have just happened. 

It was not my last encounter with Mr. Quow, but it was the last time, Mr. Quow ever picked on me for absolutely no reason. This was the beginning of a wonderful experience in the police force. This is what happens when you beat the bully.

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True Story: Kevin John AKA "Bram-Bram" - Saved a life, my reputation and my Program

I was about 10 years old, when a young man by the name of Dalton Weeks, who resided in Rose Place, which is also knows as Bottom Town, a suburb in the capital Kingstown, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; unknowingly did, what is termed, in today's psychological world as: an Intervention. Dalton was always in trouble with the law, and most of the time, he came up on the losing end, of his struggle, to be a law abiding citizen. 

As a result, he often found himself, locked away, behind the bars in the local prison. However, one day Dalton Weeks did a little act, that positively impacted the life of many of the youths of Bottom Town, including my life. Although he frequently got into trouble he was loved by all. 

One summer day, school was on summer break and the children of Bottom Town were out of school. My friends and I had done all of the fun things that was there to do. It was still morning, and although we had a long day ahead of us, we were out of ideas and activities. We were just sitting around; in an unfinished wooden cargo vessel doing nothing. This Cargo Vessel was being built on the bay-side, close to the Baisden's residence. 

While we were there, Dalton came into an unfinished vessel carrying two bird guns, and he took it upon himself, to teach us how to safely use the gun and how to shoot and hit targets. In this case the targets were small empty tin cans. Strangely many years later when I became a police officer, and was going through weapon training and target practice, using the M-16-A1 rifle. I discovered that the science of shooting, Dalton Weeks taught us as children, so many years ago; was the same science that was being taught in the police training school. 

The next day Dalton took us on a little hike in the castle area. We were out in the wooded or forested area, doing military crawls, which strangely Dalton knew by name. This was the best vacation I ever had. As kids, we always looked forward to summer and desperately hoped, Dalton will not be locked up; because we looked forward to summer with Dalton. 

I recognized the value of what Dalton Weeks give to me as a child and I wanted to ensure that as many youths were exposed to the same thing. As a result, I organized Adventurers Hikers: a hiking program. This was a program that took Vincentian children on hiking expeditions along the many hiking trail in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. On a regular, I did weekend hikes with selected group of children from my neighborhood: Bottom Town, my friend’s children, my kids and my sister’s kids. However, I had daily hikes in the summer. 

This was the beginning of the summer and the official beginning of the daily Adventurer Hiking program for the year. We began with an easy hike and every hike after that became more challenging, required more determination, and much more stamina. We had a good relationship with First FM, which was managed by Bernard Joseph (B.J). 

Each day Bernard Joseph give us the privilege to go on air live, on First FM, from out hiking destination. In this show, the hikers were interviewed by B.J as to the day activates, the challenges, what was learnt etc. This was a hit with the radio listening audience; especially, the parents of the hikers who turned into the station to hear their child name and voice on one of the most popular radio station. 

Bernard Joseph, First FM and the Adventurers hikers created a first in radio history in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Bernard Joseph facilitating the hiking program, give us the opportunity of being the first to have ever do a live broadcast from La Souffriere, the remote Volcano, high in the dense mountain of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

It was the second day of the hike; on this day, I took the hikers on a slightly harder hike than the day before. I took them to Castle and Bath. Castle and Bath is that vast area of land that is below the southern cliff of Fort Charlotte; which is perched up high, on the top of the mountain that is due west of the capital Kingstown, on the island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

The large forested area at the base of the heugh, which descends from the historic structure; you finds Bath and Castle; the abandon location of a leper hospital, a leper colony and the primitive system that was set up, for the patients of the leper hospital; to cleanse them selves. These structures have deteriorated over the years and the unforgiving elements the make up nature played a significant role. The harsh weather, the sea blast, the constant beating of the wave against the rocks and the high winds etc. this area is constantly exposed to, all contributed equally to the process. 

It was important that the hikers followed the instructions when they were given. It was in their ability to follow instruction that prevented accident and ensure that everyone was safe. There were many youths on this trip and the more people one has to manage only increase the changes of accidents. Added to the danger the area presents, which consisted of gravel on the rocks and loose rocks that looked like firm ground, which had the potential to make walking difficult; increased the potential of an accident. 

It was the appearance of danger that make this place a hit with the kids. After being told of how dangerous this palace was, getting a view of the place and an understanding of the risk one take when they did not follow the instructions given; results in the a generally compliance with and to the instructions. 

No one wanted to be that person who fell off the cliff and for the most part all the hikers followed the instructions that was given. However, if the children follow my instruction the place pose the same amount of chances of an accident as a play ground. The big difference was; here, the price was higher. I have taken many kids to that place many times before, but those were children who knew how to follow instructions; they did as they were told and they complied with instructions given. 

On the hike was a twelve years old young man by the name of Kevin John; also known as Bram-Bram, he was a simple young man, easy to get along with. Bram-Bram is the son of one of my childhood friend Dale John. Bram Bram’s father: Eddie was also my very good friend and one of my mentors as a youth growing up. So it was always a privilege to have him on the hike. He was a courageous youth who was comfortable in his own skin. Also on the Hike was Delano and his sister they were my closest neighbors. 

Like most children Delano’s age, he had a tendency to look for attention, of his peers. One of the way such people find attention is to rebel against authority and I was the authority on the hike. When my back turn and I was not paying attention to Delano; he did his own thing, going contrary to my instruction. 

We were all sitting chatting after the kids got an opportunity to go somewhat into the bath area, Delano became, dissatisfied with his seat and he decided to move from his spot on the rock, once again going contrary to my instructions. He was walking dangerously close to the edge of the cliff; in order to show the other hikers how brave he was. Ignoring the fifty feet drop either in the rough water or on the sharped rocks below; depending on your location on the base above. 

I warned participants to stay away from the edge because the rocks closer to the edge were loose and may give away under the feet and cause a serious accident. We were deep into the bushes, the only way out was a long walk up hill, along a two feet track, with razor grass on both end of the track. We were a far cry from medical help if there was a serious accident. I made the situation clear to the hikers, before we left for the hike, I reinforced it again before we began the descent and I make it clear to them again, when we arrived at our destination. 

All this was explained to the participants, most of the participants understood the consequence of an accident and they all took caution to ensure they were not a victim of an accident. Delano seeing the caution of the other hikers, used it as a tool to make a name for him as the only one who was not afraid and his constant moving from position to position persisted even after continual caution from me and the other hikers. 

We were all sitting around safe enjoying the view as I explained to them the man made features of the Bath and how and why it was used. while I answered any question, the hikers had. 

It was then I notice Delano once again, got up from his seat on the rock, while he was in the process of changing position once again, the young man stepped on some gravel, which rolled from beneath his feet, causing him to suddenly slip and fall. Delano was unable to stop himself from slipping uncontrollable down the short incline before he fell from the cliff. Unfortunately, the place where Delano fell was about fifty feet drop from the top to the sharp unforgiving rocks that waited beneath to received him or anything that fell from above. 

When I saw what was happening, there were no time for panic or even emotions, I knew exactly what had to be done. As a result, I immediately rushed over to where the accident was still in the process of taking place, but I was too far away to prevent Delano from falling, from the safety of the top of the cliff; even with my best efforts. My heart move within me at the thought of the outcome of what was about to happened right before my eyes. 

How was I going to explain to Delano’s parents who trusted me with their two children, that he had an accident under my supervision and care. I cringed even at that thought. Another thought that popped into my head was: how was this accident going to psychologically affect the other members of the hiking party. The purpose of the program was to help the youths develop strong bodies and mind, not to destroy these young mind with such trauma, of the graphic experience that was being played out in full view of all; an event that had no positive end that I could see. 

I was still rushing to the immediate area where by this time Delano was in a free fall, he was about to have an unplanned meeting with the waiting rocks beneath. I foresee a broken back, head trauma, broken limbs. I could not see this child surviving this fall. Mentally I was prepared for the worst. 

Just then; without warning and out of the thin air, A miracle happened. I saw a black, long, skinny hand popped out of no where. It went out and caught hold of Delano’s right arm in the area of the wrist. There were no sound of amazement, no cheers, no applauds only the whistle of the wind and the smashing sounds of angry wave, beating against the rocks that gives the indication of its willingness; to wash away all evidence of the tragic accident that was moments away from happening. Nature did not stop her centuries old routine to sympathized with the dangerous scenario that was being played out in her presence. 

This unexpected intervention immediately halted Delano’s fall. Now Delano was swinging in the air bouncing off the rock face. At least for the mean time, his fall was delayed but he was still dangling in the air, and the sharp rocks beneath, patiently awaited his arrival. The dangling young boy was not safe. By this time the other hikers were all on their feet, bathing in helplessness, quietly and in shock, as they tried to get a view of the terrible scene that was being unfold before them. 

It was the hand of an angel, that interceded and cut short the fall of the falling kid. At this time, I saw Bram-Bram, spread out on the rock like a crab, in a 110 degree angle. He was using his left hand and his left foot to grip into the rocks, which was on the safe part of the base, while his right foot, which was on the incline, barely hang on to a small stone, that was sticking out of the cliff face; that look as if it was about to break loose from the weight that it was suddenly asked to carry. 

Bram-Bram tightly held the wrist of the falling victim and was struggling with the weight of Delano who without words, but with the fear in his eyes looking up at Bram-Bram and with his facial expression which was covered with fear, begged the skinny young man not to let go of his grip on his arm. 

Bram-Bram was found in a position he did not asked or bargained for. His own safety was at risk, yet he refused to release the grip he had on Delano. Bram-Bram was not strong enough, to hoist Delano to safety; and I was not sure, how much longer Bram-Bram could maintain his hold on Delano, before his grip broke from the excessive weight the youth was carrying; while in such an awkward position; or before he lose his hold upon the rock, in which case, will only result in both youths, plunging helplessly and smashing on to the rock beneath. This new dynamic drastically changed the complexion of the situation. Instead of an accident involving one child, the situation have now escalate into a case where the accident may now involved two children. 

I was still in the process of rushing to the immediate scene where the dangerous fall and the dramatic save were being made. When I got there, I quickly climbed down to where I can take hold of Delano’s hand and I did just that relieving Bram-Bram of the heavy weight he was carrying; the weight of Delano, who was probable heaver then Bram-Bram was. I then pulled Delano to safety. 

The moments immediately after the incident, everyone was extremely quiet. Even I could not believe the dramatic scene that had just played out before our eyes. A scene that put on public display a valiant demonstration of quick thinking, sharp reflexive, and the mustering of unknown strength from an unassuming hero. We were all witnessed to a scene that is often seen dramatized in a Hollywood block buster movie. Such scenes are filmed in a controlled environment, with stunts men, protective gears, and all of the precaution to ensure the safety of actors, stuntmen and film crew.

But on that day, we all got to see hero in the flesh in action, we were all privilege to have witnessed, an emergence of courage from Bram-Bram's in full actions.

True Story - Judge I. D. Mitchell, The Gunmen & the narrow escape

Ian Donaldson Mitchell was a Eastern Supreme Court Judge, who later was appointed to and served on the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal as a Appeal Court judge. However, before his appointment to the appeal court; he was assigned to and he faithfully serve the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the capacity of a Supreme Court Judge in both civil and the criminal Jurisdictions. Justice Mitchell is small in stature, who always carries a pleasant smile on his face. He is a well-read man and in my opinion, the brightest of the judge, who have served the Eastern Caribbean Court system. He was quite a humble fellow and very down to earth.

By this time in my police career, I have had several Short and Mid-term assignment with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, but never a long term assignment. I particularly like those short assignments, because they give me a break from the regular grins and the controversies, I seems to be prone to, while I performed regular duties. Controversies like the Kusu incident or getting my jaw broken. Like everything else, I took my assignment serious. I was not going to be the guy whose judge got injured and or killed on my watch. So unlike the other guys who were also assigned, I did a lot of leg and ground work, like going to places beforehand, to see if there is a security risk to my judge, what they are; the best way to eliminate those risk or how avoid any unseen risk. Escape route and alternate route were also considered.

With Justice Mitchell I had to be even more cautious than normal, for the simple fact; Justice Mitchell had a long term assignment in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, that means he will be dealing with a wide range of criminal and civil matters, and for every case, there will be a disgruntled litigant in the civil cases; those litigant against whom he found; and in criminal cases, those defendant who was found guilty by a jury and who he had the lawful authority to sentence according to the law etc.

As a result, when Justice Mitchell were required to go anywhere, be it upon an invitation or on his own accord, I will pay that place a visit, check out the place, speak to the people there, so on our arrival he got first class treatment, because on sight of his vehicle; the proprietor of the business, police on duty at an official function, or the people who extend an invitation will be there to welcome us and to ensure that all goes smooth. Justice Mitchell always says to me, Mr. Palmer, it seems like you know everyone, every place and every thing on the island. It is not that I knew everyone and every place, it meant that I did my home work to ensure we experience very little of no inconvenience if it was possible.

When my other colleagues and their assigned judges, would suffer the inconvenience of looking for entrance, seating order and other information, I always ensured that such is taken care of prior to my arrival at a function. Even when Justice Mitchell choose to attended local functions like Culture Pot in Calliaqua, although he told me not to; when I asked if I should notify the organizers that he was coming. However, because I understood the dynamics of the place and the gang thing that was raising its ugly head at the time in Calliaqua, I informed the management of the Calliaqua Police Station that the judge will be going to Culture Pot, ensuring the event was properly patrolled, and I also informed certain members of the organizer, letting them be mindful they are not to know that he was attending because that was his wish. However, on arrival, Justice Mitchell and Maggie his wife was quickly ushered and seated.   

Unknowing to most people, Justice Mitchell was a dear devil in his own rights, a man of tremendous courage. Had it not been for an injury which he had recently recovered from, I believed Justice Mitchell would have accompanied me on some of my roller blading expedition, if he thought he would have gotten away with it, without raising too much eyebrows. Justice Mitchell love to hike and we have hiked up to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines volcano the La Soufriere on several occasion, we have hike most of the hiking trail on the island of St. Vincent.

When the court was on summer break, I organized the summer program The Adventurers Hiking Program; Justice Mitchell actually participated in the program. Justice Mitchell took off his judge’s robe, put on his regular guy persona and he had fun, scratching in the dirt with the children who participated in the program; while insisting that the children called him Don. However, the participants followed my lead and always referred to him as Justice Mitchell. After all they have all seen him in his office, sitting behind his big mahogany Judges desk, dressed in his imposing judges robe; the kids were in awe when the met Justice Mitchell. These were same children who a week earlier had the honor and the privilege of paying The Judge turn hiker, an official visit and speak with him in his chamber; after which he give them a tour of his court room.  The photo of Supreme Court Judge: Justice Mitchell on a summer hiking program was deemed to be news worthy enough to make the front page of the Search Light News Paper.

Justice Mitchell was a very tactful man, when he realized that I was a practicing Christian, he told me that he and his wife Maggie did not believe in God. I did not pursue that topic any further; however, from his life style, I will declare that there was not a better Christian man than Mr. I. D. Mitchell. He was thoughtful, kind, he loves to sharing. I could remember my first Christmas assigned to Justice Mitchell, he and his wife was going to spend Christmas in Anguilla, the place where his parent settled having left Montserrat and the place where he called home. Mr. Mitchell handed me an envelope and said merry Christmas. Upon opening that envelope, I was shock to see a check with my name on it with the equivalent of my salary.

However, Putting Justice Mitchell’s personality aside; I am aware that law school is a haven that introduces many young law students into the devil worship occult, and he may very well have been speaking the truth. I honestly think that it was just the Judge’s way of not having to be worried with me trying to have him and his wife, unwillingly accompanying me to church. There was no better way to save a confrontation religion always brings.

Mr. Mitchell also loves and was an avid snorkeler (diving without the assistance of scuba breathing apparatus). Although he is a scuba diver, the water around the sea course of St. Vincent and the Grenadines do not required Scuba diving equipment to explore the beauty of the Marine world below the surface of the sea.

The same curiosity that cause Justice Mitchell to research tons of information that he may never use, information he will share with me randomly, was the same curiosity that cause us to go on so many crazy expeditions that I never thought of going on. We will be driving along a particular place and the Judge will see a mountain range or a body of sea water and he will ask. Mr. Palmer have you ever swam in that area, have you every climb to the top of that mountain; most of the time my answer was no. Then he always searchingly asks, I wonder what type of plants or what the wild life on that mountain or what it is like up there? or I wonder what type of sea creature or fish would be found there. That was an initiation of a hike or a dive to some strange place that I have never had the desire to go to.

I was always game, and my reply was the same each time, well if you will like to know what is there, I could organize a hike or a diving expedition for you to see what is happening there. That is how I was afforded the pleasure of snorkeling even around the island in Chateaubelair islet; it was all because of the Judge’s curiosity.  To ensure that he kept me interested in participating in these crazy adventures, after we had accomplished one such adventure the judge, the people who went on the expedition and I will visit the popular neighborhood restaurant and we will all have lunch on Justice Mitchell’s expense. We were required to order anything on the menu and Justice Mitchell insisted that we don’t be shy.

My friend Garwin Philips, who was also a police officer, the noted body builder, was always guest on these expeditions. I selected Garwin because we were good friends, and he was a very intimidating fellow. He was my back up in the event something went wrong. My son Malique and his mother were often apart of the party that participated in these adventures.

When the Mitchell's had foreign guess, was a prime time for weekend expeditions. It was the Judges opportunity to show his guess a good time and to give them a taste of what he was up to, on the island. On this occasion Justice Mitchell had a guess by the name of Tom Scott, from Scotland, Mr. Scott was a good fellow, this is a man who ought not to be trusted with a secret. For the simple fact no information was safe with Mr. Scott. Mr. Scott was a free spirit, he did what he wanted to and he said what he wanted to without looking over his shoulder. These were good and admirable qualities but they could be dangerous also. It was from Mr. Scott that I got a little peep into the judge financial holding and I could not believe that Mr. Mitchell was that wealthy.

Mr. Scott’s visit to the Mitchell's, only meant one thing, Hiking, smocking and other adventures. Our first outing was a trip to the La Soufriere Volcano. We left Kingstown early one Sunday morning for Georgetown, from where we were going to climb up the mountain, that leads to the volcano. While we were on the journey, we came upon a tree that had fallen across the mud track that is the regularly used trail to climb up the steep mountain. On the east there was freshly cut shrubs, however the freshly cut chub led to a well beaten track. We ponder if we should climb over the fallen tree or used the newly revealed trail. It was suggested that the new track may have been cut to get around the tree by the forestry department or it could be a whole new road to the volcano.

So we all decided to see where the track will take us. On this trip I also had my son Malique with me. At this stage he was about seven years old. While we were walking we came upon a plateau, on the top of the mountain. I stood up at the end of the dirt track that emptied out onto the plateau, because I have never seen anything like this before. While I stood observing to ensure I did not take the judge and my son into a dangerous situation; Mr. Scott fearlessly walked passed me, and he walked directly on to the plateau, amazed with the beauty of the place and the discovery, he looked around, not just by moving his head, but by turning his entire body around, with both of his hands outstretched and in the air, at the same level of his head; whiles loudly repeating the words: "have you seen this?" three or four times.

One would have thought that Mr. Scott was claiming the land, in the name of the Queen of Scotland; In the same manner I imagine Christopher Columbus would have done. By this time, I had already signaled the other members of the hiking party to get down, which they all did sensing that something was amiss from my behavior. I was whisperingly shouting at Mr. Scott, instructing him to come back into the wooded area. Mr. Scott was not paying any attention to what was going on, comfortable in his own little world he simply ignored me; no one was going to spoil this moment for him.

He was still soaking up the beauty of the place, this time his hands had changed position, he now had both of his hands on his hips, looking around not with his head but still turning his entire body around as if he was afraid that his knees or his back will miss the view, while still declaring in amazement; "what have we here." Even when he realized that he was the only one in the open and everyone else was hiding behind the trees trying not to be detected, he asked what going on, have you seen this.  I had to leave the safety of the shelter the trees, shrubs and bushes of the forest that concealed my presence; run into the marijuana field and forcefully pushed Mr. Scott out of the field. Reluctantly and resisting my effort to take him back into the covers of the forest where he was declaring at the top of his voice what is going on! What is going on!

Angry at Mr. Scott’s refusal to follow instructions, which almost endangered the life of the entire hiking party; including my son Malique whom I had a fatherly obligation to, and the judge whose safety I had a professional responsibility for. We were not out of the woods as yet, because I did not know if we were seen by the owner of the marijuana field. One thing you must consider is Marijuana farmers are very protective of their fields, because there are field raiders who will steal the crop in an unsupervised field. Marijuana field robbing is the primary cause of missing people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, when I was assured that all was safe, I was very angry; because of the callousness of an adult had almost jeopardized the life of people on the hike include my son; but I kept my calm.

We return to the original rout, climb over the fallen tree and continued up the mountain. While we were almost to the top of the mountain, we noticed there were three men each carrying sacks of fertilizers on their head. While we were struggling to get to the top of the La Soufriere, up come three marijuana farmers, carrying fifty pound sacks of fertilizer on their heads; they effortlessly walked pass us going up the steep mountain. The first thing Mr. Scott did was to indiscreetly took out his camera, and began to take pic of the men.

I quickly made my way to Mr. Scott and I told him he cannot do that. I informed him that the guys carry firearms and we are miles away from help. I further explained that these guys are marijuana farmers, which is illegal and they may not want their photo graphs to be taken and publicized; they may even be wanted. It was at this time I took the time to have a serious talk with Justice Mitchell about his guess.

I took the time to bring the seriousness of Mr. Scott’s actions to the Judge's attention. I told Justice Mitchell my responsibility is to him: as the judge and not his guess, I further told him, if Mr. Scott’s behavior get us into trouble, If I have to; I will sacrifice him to ensure that I do not default on my responsibility to you and my son and I will do it without thinking twice. I said Justice Mitchell you need to have a serious talk with Mr. Scott. At this time Mr. Mitchell pulled his friend and house guest Mr. Scott aside and had a serious talk with him. As a result, we made it back to base without any major incident.

The next weekend, we were off to take Mr. Tom Scott to the Falls of Baleine. To get to the Falls of Baleine, it is a very difficult four hours of hiking, from the most northern village of Fancy, through rugged interior to get to The falls. That is one way. So I organized my cousin Hunchie, a seine fisherman, to use one of his boats to take us to The falls of Baleine; however, by boat it is not a long ride. We got to Baleine, safe and sound, there was about six other boats at Baleine with people who went to enjoy the beauty of nature that Baleine offers. I recognized some of the people who were gathered there, picnicking and enjoying nature and the company of friends. We were having a good time, Mr. Scott was at his best behavior he was good at making friends and he made friends with some of the people who were picnicking there.  He was truly having a good time.

We were there for about an hour and a half and we were having a good time; however, something did not sit well with me and I did not know what was wrong. I looked around but nothing was out of place, yet my gut told me that something was not right. Because Malique was on the trip, I was not going to take any chances, I rather error on the side of caution.

Mr. Tom Scott, Justice Mitchell’s friend was in his element, he had made friends with some of the people there and he had their attention. I located Hunchie and I told him let’s get ready to leave, Hunchie thought the decision to leave was a little premature, because it was a beautiful day and it was quite early. While Hunchie was getting the boat ready to leave, I went and I told Justice Mitchell it was time to leave, Justice Mitchell trusted my judgment and he did not questioned my decision, I went and I informed Mr. Scott that it is time to leave. It was a difficult task getting Mr. Scott away from his appreciative audience. As usual Mr. Scott put up a fight, what do you mean it is time to leave he asked in protest, I had no justify reason to give Mr. Scott but I repeated the words to Mr. Scott and I walked in the direction of the boat, making sure Malique was with me.

By this time Mr. Scott, went back to entertaining his audience, I went to Justice Mitchell and I informed him, If Mr. Scott does not get on board the boat now we are going to leave him behind. The Judge quickly went and summoned Mr. Scott who reluctantly complied with the instruction of his friend the Judge. By this time the boat was partly in the water, Malique, the Judge and Mr. Scott boarded the boat, Hunchie and I push the boat into the water and away from the shore, then I boarded, and Hunchie, give the final push and jumped into the boat. Hunchie started the small outboard engine and we began to head away from the beach. Then Justice Mitchell said Mr. Palmer look something is happening back there, do you know what is going on. I briefly looked back, unfortunately I did not care. My fatherly responsibility was safe and my professional responsibility was also out of harms way.

I got the impression that Mr. Mitchell wanted us to go back to see what was going on just in case we could have rendered help. However, after that brief look at the beach when Justice Mitchell brought the commotion on the beach to my attention, I did not look back. We got back to Barroualie, the place where we started from culminating the end of the Falls of Baleine trip.

Later that evening, I received a call from Hunchie, and he said to me, Palmer is a good thing we leave Baleine when we did. When I asked why, he told me, one of his friends who were on the beach told him as soon as we pushed off and was on our way; some gun men came out of the mountain, they held up everyone and robbed every one of all of their valuables. The next morning I went to Central Police Station and I got a hold of the police night report which is a compilation of all of the crimes that was committed in the pass twenty four hours.

There was a consolidated report, of a multi reports robbery, which occurred at the Falls of Baleine on the day before that corresponded with the time the boat that carried my son Malique and Justice Mitchell; was leaving the Balleine Bay. Later I brought the incident to Justice Mitchell’s attention, he looked at me with a smile of his face and he said "O really!" Justice Mitchell's looked disappointed, as one who had regret missing out on the action that had taken place. 

After which, he lay his right elbow on the rounded area on the inside of the car window, pressing the outer area of his right elbow onto the glass, his open right hand cupped the right side of his chin, as his little, ring and middle fingers fold down into a king of fist, causing his little and ring finger to press down on his bottom lip, while index finger pointing up to his temple similar to Malcolm X famous photo graph; as he looked out or the window of the moving car at the sea, but appear to be looking out into space; As one in deep thought.  

I have never hear of a robbery at Baleine before this one and I have never heard of a robbery after this robbery.

See Facebook response to this story

Rendering needed help to an injured man.

On the evening of June 3rd 2018 at about 9:00 PM, I was walking along Grand Avenue, in the CIty of Los Angeles California, USA, in the vicinity of the Music Center, the country of Los Angeles performing arts complex of theaters. I was walking along the eastern side walk heading north. When I saw some one lying on the side walk on his back.  

The person was lying long way across the side walk taking up about three quarters of the side walk. there was no one else on the street in the area where the man lay. I said to myself, that is a fine place for that person to crash (sleep). When, I got closer and upon closer inspection, I notice the person was an elderly man, of  Asian descent, I also noticed there was a pool of blood on the ground behind his head. 

It was then I realized that the man was angered and from the clothes he where, I knew he was not homeless. there was a flip phone on the ground behind his head. I quickly assumed a knee, I took the man by his right hand and began to assess him, discovered that he was conscious, but unresponsive, with labored breathing. I tried to ascertained that he was not altered mental status; but there was no sign or anything to suggested that he was. 

although he did not respond to my level of alertness test, I let him know that he will be ok, after which I called 911. Still helding the man's right hands to give him the reassurance that he is not alone, while I speak to the 911 operator to have them dispatched an ambulance to the area.

By this time two white couples came, looked at me suspiciously, and stood there watching as I speak to the 911 operator. Then and without any prompting, one fellow assume a knee took the man's other (left) hand in the same manner I did as we await the arrival of the ambulance.

At this time a white guy, about 24 years old, slightly bigger than I am, with facial hair, came to the area, he briefly looked at the happenings and then declared: "see if he take the man's money." this statement really upset me. for one thing I am not a thief, second I am in a place that is most friquent my white people, and the third reason, white people are very judgmental and suspicious about blacks in Los Angeles California. 

People have been arrested or have the police called upon them for walking while black, now here I am, with a helpless, unresponsive fellow before me, and some one is accusing me of stealing the man;s property. My anger boiled at the man;s statement and I got up from my position, and in the same motion and without turning to face my accuser, causing my arms to travel in a backward motion, I punched that fellow right in his chest, and said are you accusing me of stealing? By this time I was facing my accuser. 

He took a step back and began to argue, playing his Trump card, the we against the foreigners. He said where are you from, you are not even from this country, I said to the idiot what does that has to do with anything. Then I went back to helping the victim. By this time the Ambulance arrived I briefly spoke to the attendants, and left the man still crusting at me.

It seems as if I am more busy than the police, firefighters, and the EMTs are. It seems like everywhere I turn, there is an emergency for me to deal with and I am always too busy to document the incidents. I just wrote a letter to the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

I am no longer a police officer and I am no linger an EMT, but I just cannot escape the life of a first responder.

 A short video post on Facebook of the incident

True Stories - Helping Los Angeles Metro Customers who are in danger

Managing Director

Los Angeles 

Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

One Gateway Plaza

Los Angeles, California 90012 - 2952

6/3/2018

Dear Sir, 

Let me introduced myself, my name is Allan H. F. Palmer; I am a Vincentian by nationality, I have been living in Los Angeles County for the past four years. I use the Metro Subway and bus system on a regular basis. Everywhere I go on Metro system, I have observed that metro facility has a high security presence; there are members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff department, there are members Los Angeles Police Department presence, there is a private security and there is the Metro Security and fare enforcement officers also.

This not a is bad thing, for it is vital to ensure that your riders are given the feeling of safety and security while utilizing any of Metro facility. I have also noticed that Metro facility also have a state of the arts surveillance system that gives exceptional visual coverage to monitor the train stations, on board the trains and buses. On the regular basis I hear members of Metro staff shouting instructions to patron, within the stations to get behind the yellow line, not to encroach behind the security gates, or to get off the tracks. This gives me the impression that your surveillance system is not just in place and is used on a review basis; however, they are properly and are constantly monitored.

However, it seems that too regular when I am using your facility I am required to go out of my way, as a passenger, to render help to people in distress. I will bring to you three of those times that I was forced to get involved to aid patron of metro subway system.

Incident # 1:

In 2017, I did not pay attention to the date; because I was just doing what is right, not knowing I would have written this letter. I was at the Civic Center awaiting the train Purple/Red line terminal; where I was minding my own business. While there, I heard the loud voices of two males arguing, which was followed by a lady was shouting hysterically, I went to see what was going on. I saw an African American male and a Caucasian male in a scuffle.

At this point the African American male was attempting to throw the Caucasian male onto the train tracks. By this time, I have resolved myself not to get involved in other people’s business as was my norms. There was other people looking at the incident and no one got involved; however, the Caucasian male looked at me and stretched his hand towards me and said help me. Even though I was doing all in my power not to get involved; I honestly could not ignore a fellow human, in a dangerous situation, making a plea to me to help. So I went over to the two men and I broke the grasp the African American had on the Caucasian male and by extension took him away from the African American male and abort what could have been a tragedy. However, and for reason unknown to me, the African American male was quite upset and he insisted on throwing the Caucasian male on the train tracks, as a result, once again I had to unwillingly intervene until they both parted ways on the coming trains.

Incident # 2: 

One Sunday morning in the month of March, I cannot remember the exact date, (however, this incident can be reviewed because the Ambulance was summoned to the Metro facility by metro staff on my request); I was standing on the lower level of the Seventh Street - Metro Center platform, in the vicinity of the platform number one escalator, that brings people down from platform number 1. During this period of operations, the elevator on platform number one was closed and cordoned off and was declared out of service.

I was standing on the platform minding my business. while I was standing there, I heard a tumbling on the escalator. I turn around and I say an elderly Caucasian male, with a walking aid: a walker, head down feet up, sliding down the escalator with the escalator’s help. I cannot in all honesty say what happened, or how he ended up in that position; but a review of your surveillance cameras can gave an accurate account of what took place. The man was literally chapped, in a kind of semi fetal position, between the two sides of the escalator, and was calling for help; as the escalator stairs bang him as he lay helpless caught. Everyone looked at the elderly handicap as the escalator continues to pushed him off; but his awkward position, being securely wedged between the sides of the escalator and his previous injuries prevented him from helping himself.

There were other people standing around, there was even members of his own race, standing right in the area, not too far from the disabled and old man, still trying to stay out of other people business; Unfortunately, everyone ignored the man who needed help as well as his loud cry for help, they all blankly looked at the fallen man but did nothing. It came down to me to do what was right. I went and I took the fellow off of the escalator and I lay him down on the floor try to get him to lay on his back just in the event that his fall, roll, and banging of the elevator resulted in an injured or if the incident aggravates some injury that may require him to use the walker, it is them he informed me that he cannot lay on his back because he has an injury to his back. I asked on lookers to use the intercom to informed Metro personnel to send the ambulance and no one did that either. I had to left the man find an intercom, update metro and then return to the victim.

Incident # 3:

On the morning of Sunday, 20th May, 2018, I was on my way to Santa Monica, I was standing on Plat form number one, in the general vicinity of the Flower Street, exit waiting for the train to Santa Monica, when I saw two Asian young ladies, running along the platform, they were trying to get to platform number 2 to get the train to Long Beach. Although one of the ladies were ahead of the other, they appear to be running in unison. The young ladies ran up the escalator, which was moving in their direction of their travel. This would have allowed them make their way over to the Blue line. By this time, they were almost to the top of the escalator, I noticed the ladies suddenly turn around and began to run down the upward moving escalator. I also notice there was someone on the top of the escalator who appears to be sitting, which was the reason for the girl sudden decent.

To be honest, I though the whole series of event was funny, as a result I began to smile at the sudden turn of events. I thought it was one of the many characters were just finding something awkward to do again, like sitting on the landing of the escalator to inhibit patron. One never know what to expect. After the ladies left the escalator, and upon closer inspection, the person on the top of the escalator was not sitting but was lying face down, I asked the person who were standing there if that is an emergency situation and no one answered, it was then I saw the person’s head and shoulder area going up with the upward movement of the escalator and then down after the stair that send his head up had pass.

So I went over to the escalator and I saw that it was someone lying face down on the escalator who appeared to be unresponsive. So I quickly ran up the stairs, and I held him by neck of his top and the back of his pants in an effort to lift him off of the escalator, he did not appear to be a particularly big man and I should not have had any difficulty lifting him off the escalator. However, I was unable to. It was then another fellow saw me struggling to move the man from off the escalator and came by to render some assistance. Both of us could not lift the man off the escalator, it was then I noticed that the top the man was wearing was caught between the escalator which made it impossible to get him off the still moving escalator. It then turned off the escalator using the emergency shut off switch, after the escalator was turned off the fellow who was rendering help left. I once again had to find an intercom and informed the metro personnel of the current situation and request that they send the ambulance, to the location.

They call members of the Los Angeles Police Department who was on duty at the station to deal with the matter. There was one thing I recognized when I was dealing with these incident was no one care enough to say thanks. The man at Civic Center who begged me to get involved when he was about to be hauled onto the tracks did not say thanks, it was more important for him to recover some book he had in his passion, the Caucasian elderly/ handicap fellow who fell down the escalator who everyone was ignoring did not say thanks, I did not expect a thank you from the man who was trapped because of his current situation and state of mind. The police who came to the scene did not say thanks or took my name, and the Metro operator who I reported the incident to did not say thanks or took my name.

It was as if I am obligated to get involved when I did, and I was only doing what was expected of me. I have seen many instant when police officers, fire personnel and others who were acting in the capacity their paid profession who acted in the line of their required and paid duties are acknowledges and rewarded for doing their work. Yet I was not even thanked for endangering my life, risking injuries to render help to total stranger, and in so doing, I relief Metro from, delay in service (in the instant of the Civic Center incident) and obvious increase liability, and a bad reputation.

It is these type of behavior from your employees on all from that is probable responsible for the general reluctance of patron to get involved and render help even to people in need.

In pursuant of appreciation.

True Story: A broken Jaw - A police conspiracy for death by misadventure? Mmmm!

For many years, I was in deep denial. I refused to believe and to accept, a simple fact; my colleagues in oath, and duties; the men with whom I shared a police station, for up to six days, and some times in advance of a week, without seeing my family and my friends, would have arranged for me to be murder, to advance their careers. 

These were men with whom, I eat, share personal information, discussed matters of importance; men with whom, I had fought alongside and for whom I have fought. Men I expected to watch my back in dangerous situations, men who confided in me, and men whom I give critical advise too, on matters of jobs saving consequences and other things. Men to whom, I give my loyalty and my secretary; but they did and they did it without remorse.


Now I was sitting before a doctor who addressed me; he said, “Officer Palmer,” pausing for a while, still looking at the X-ray on the X-ray display monitor, as he used the top of his ball point pen like a pointer; to draw my attention, to a particular area, on the picture that showed a bony outline of my Jaw, chin, teeth and the lower part of the crown of my head.


The last time I was in a similar situation, I was sitting before a different doctor, at the same hospital, in the same Accident and Emergency ward, with blood running from my nose. At that time, I was conveyed to the hospital in a police vehicle, and I was accompanied by my training instructor Sgt. Ron Roberts. In that instant, the doctor declared; “Officer Palmer; Your nose is broken, my mind wondered, I have never had a broken bone before; I said to myself. Then the doctor continued, but the good news is, you will not need surgery to repair the broken nose;” I am going to make an appointment for you to have nasal manipulation.”


This time, I was back at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with a different injury. The doctor was still moving his pen on the X-ray negatives, in a circle, in the general area he wanted me to pay close attention to; then he continued without establishing eye contact with me, still focusing on the X-ray, "Mr. Palmer, your jaw is broken.” Then he looked at me, with a smile on his face and said; “we have good news, "you don’t need surgery to repair the broken jaw. The Broken jaw will heal on its own in about five to six weeks.”


This injury was resulted from a love affair I started some years earlier. I found my first and true love and like a love sick teenager, I was having the time of my life. I did not allow anything to come between me and my new love; not even the incidents that resulted in broken bones. Life was not perfect, but I looked forward to each day. It was during this period of my life that I got to understand, the true meaning of the often used term: "when you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life."


I was having the time of my life; I was early for work, I left work late and I only missed work when I was too sick to function and that was rare; as a matter of fact, it happened once in fifteen years but I had sick leave twice. I had recently been transferred to the Chateaubelair Police Station. To me, being a police officer was an ongoing adventure and those who knows me, knows that I love a good adventure.


As kids; Bread-head (Garfield Mayers), Bony-mouth (Caswell Providence) and I loves adventures so much that we were always looking for new things to do and new ways to create adventures. This means we created and find dangerous things to do as kids. There was the time we made parachutes, from some thick plastic we found; after which, we went to the highest point on Zambie Rock to jump off. To date I am still the only person to jump from that rock with the homemade parachute.


This happened after Bread-head and Bony-mouth insisted that the parachute experiment, was my idea and it was only fair that I be the first person to test it out. It was only after I jumped from high rock, the parachute opened, and the wind took full control of me, almost slammed me into the rock face; but instead, the experiment ended in me landing on a rock that was submerged, two feet under the water, in an area people dont normally swim, that was laden with long tentacles Black Sea Eggs (Sea-Orchard). The Sea-Orchards is the main reason no one swims in that area.


This resulted in my foot, becoming filled with black Sea-Orchard tentacles. It was at this point, we realized, this adventure, although an exciting one, our lack of control over the parachute made it a dangerous one, that may result in even serious injuries, like broken bones etc. We were looking for fun, adventure and excitement not a stay in the hospital.


I remembered trying to enticed Bread head and Boney mouth into becoming police officer, when I was about to enlist. But the guys did not entertain the thought. In my mind, with our undying friendship, aquabatic skills, our courage, Street Sense, fighting skills, etc. the three of us would have made an awesome team.


Forget about SWAT, SSU and RRU, just call us to deal with your dangerous situations, we would have gotten the job done quicker, less messy, less expensive and with less blood. As teens, we have been in and gotten out of many sticky situation. As youth, we were the catalyst for each other. Most people, and a lot of my police colleague think I am very courageous, and I am, but they have never spent time with Bread-head; Bread-head is the most courageous man I have ever known. Yes Bread is more courageous than I am.


Many people think I am very analytical, and I am; most people can only see that in me because; most people have never spent time with Bony-mouth; Bony-mouth is the most tactical and analytical mind I have ever known and yes, Mouth is much more analytical than I am. However, I was smack in the middle of Bread Head and Boney Mouth in the area of courage and analyzing.


As a police officer you never know what will happen at any given moment. The dangers are real, the lives you touched are real, the problems you were required to deal with are real and your mistakes affected the live of real people in some crucially defined ways. Not being one to shun danger, or to shy away from a challenge, meant that I was actually having the time of my life and I was getting pay to have fun.


Now I had to adopt and learn about the people of Chateaubelair; I was now a member of the staff at the Chateaubelair Police Station. This came after some suspicious efforts, to get me to agree to a transfer to the Rapid Response Unit (RRU). It was suspicious because of the person who made the request and the fact the police force has a policy to send men to work where they are needed not where they want to go. At least that is the enforceable policy for unfavored people like me.


The force has just began to become the politically charge. And I was considered the outsider, a man who was not apart of the new political establishment. I knew I had to be careful, but I did not take my welfare seriously. This was so because I had this invincibility complex. I believed that nothing serious could ever happen to me. An injury here and injury there in the line of duty, but nothing really serious.


I had an advantage in working at Chateaubelair that the other staff members did not have; an advantage that I had nothing to do with my efforts. My father spent a lot of time, in Chateaubelair as a young shipwright (a ship builder), building cargo vessels and fishing, as a result; I was welcomed with open arms by the older head within the Chateaubelair community. People like Bunion the noted fisherman and businessman, May Dublin Justice of the Peace and businesses woman, Mrs. Michaels and the other elders of the community. Who knew and was friends with my father, looked out for me.


I also remember as a child, my father Hamilton often packed up a car, along with my sister Andrea and I and we all went on road trips. We went to different places and the custom was, daddy made stops, along the way to see those of his friends, whom he held dear, until it was time to return that evening. We often visited Bunion at his home; which was the second to last stop on the Chateaubelair trip.


Although I was too young to remember, the exact places and the people we visited so long ago, when I went to Mr. Bunion’s shop on liquor license check, the place look familiar, When I introduced myself to Mr. Bunion, he inquired if I was related to the Palmer’s of Bottom Town, when he discovered that Hamilton or old Palmer was my father; he opened up to me about his friendship with my father and the fact that they visited each other. It was from Bunion I learnt of my father’s activities in the town as a young man; and who he had hanky panky relationships with.


Added to my advantage, in the seventies (1970s) my big sister Chrisida also worked in Chateaubelair as a teen, she worked with the Canadian Save the Children Fund - Child Development program. While in the eighties (1980s) my other big sister Clare worked in Chateaubelair at the Levi Latham Health Center, as the Staff Nurse in charge of that hospital and the district. My father and siblings had established a good reputation of hard work, honesty and professionalism in the community and the people who knew them, although they did not say it, they expected the same from me. I did all in my power not to bring reproach, to the legacy my family had created, in the town of Chateaubelair; serving the people of the North Leeward district.


Another factor that made policing Chateaubelair special, was two members of the staff with whom I worked and the connection we had. There was only a handful of police officer who was from Kingstown, in the entire police force; however, at the Chateaubelair Police Station there were two assigned there. We quickly bounded because our perspective on life and policing were similar. The locality we were from and our experiences. Another thing the Police Force look suspiciously at members within the rank that are from Kingstown.


The two colleagues of which I speak; was Claudius Morgan a man I knew from my childhood and youth. I knew Claudius as a child attending the Kingstown Seventh Day Adventist Church. Claudius attended on special occasion with his aunt: Sister Morgan, they lived in a small suburban mountain neighborhood in north Kingstown called: Kingstown Park. Kingstown Park is the neighborhood between Sharps and Kingstown the city, and it located mid-way up that un-names mountain.


As teens, Claudius and I were a part of the roller skate craze and we all skated together on the street of Kingstown, putting our skills on display, as we roller skate alongside the motor vehicle traffic, dogging in and out of the traffic; stealing a tow by holding on to moving vehicle, sometimes holding onto vehicle that moved at very high speed. Back then we thought we were invincible.


Atland Brown on the other hand, was from and lived on the top of the unnamed the Mountain, on which the Village of Sharps was, while Claudius lived in the Middle of the Mountain Atland lived on the top of the Mountain. Atland and I did not share the type of friendship Claudius and I shared before we became police officers; however, I would have seen him around. The three of us shared a camaraderie that saw us sharing everything from food, advise, experiences, expertise and duties. At the time the Chateaubelair Police Station had a staff of four Constables’ one Station Sergeant and one Corporal.


In charge of the station was Station Sergeant (SS) Eckron Lockhart, and his second in charge was Corporal “Owl Face” James. One constable was transferred and we were awaiting his replacement. However we got the job done with one constable short.


The other members of the staff were afraid of the men that control the weed operation in the North Leeward area, which was led by a young man that went by the name of I-Pa; as a result, in the pass the staff that worked ignored reports and other complaint against I-Pa and his crew. SS Lockhart, who managed the Police Station, did not instructed anyone not to deal with any reports against those men, but he always say to us, you have to be careful, those men kill and buried many people in the mountains. And he did not demanded the timely resolution of matters that was reported against them either. However, although no one was instructed not to deal with any such reports, from their rhetoric, every one knew, what were expected and the other police officers avoided the weed men at all cost.


The friendship among the three officers from Kingstown really cemented when Atland complaint the big dog of the Petit Bordel weed-men: I-Pa. After he was found guilty, I-Pa met Corporal James and issued threats via the Corporal to PC Browne. Instead of rebuking the gunman/big weed man the Corporal took himself from the police action, and buried PC 23 Brown; giving the man who was believed to have killed several people, and bury them in coal pits in the Chateaubelair Mountain, the impression that it was ok to deal with PC Brown.


It was at this time Claudius and I send a clear and stern message to the other members of the staff at the Chateaubelair Police Station and the Petto Gun men that Atland Brown was not alone. We did this in our unification of our duties. We went out on duty together as a show of support for Brown. I took it one step further and I initiated the arrest of the same Gunman I-Pa, for driving while suspended. I seized his vehicle, which he abandon and I did this in the presence of and against the instructions of Station Sergeant Lockhart who told me leave him alone.


Now the station was being flooded with phone calls from Fitzhugh and Goulding, the two most westerly village in the City of Chateaubelair. There was a man with a history of mental illness: by the name of Brian who was experiencing a mental decline and he began to act up. Apparently Brian was a good man generally; however, he gets violent when he experienced a full mental decline. The people of Fitzhugh, knew the signs he exhibited, when he stopped taking his medication.

As a result, the members of the community always alert the police, who in turn, took the necessary steps to have him apprehended and taken to the doctor before he reached full mental decline. Myself and other went in search for and apprehend Brian before he went into full mental decline. I was new to the area; I did not know this and no one shared the information with me. However, by this time, Brian was in full mental decline and he had become a threat to the community.


As far as I was concerned, if there was a threat to the community, it was the police responsibility, to remove that threat from the neighborhood, before it becomes a danger to the other members of the community, even a danger to the police. This simple philosophy was my approach to policing.


One Morning, at about 3:30 am, we got ready to go in search of the subject. Morgan or Brown was off on weekend leave, and the other one was working Station orderly duties. On the mission were Station Sergeant Lockhart, Corporal "Owl face" James, the constable who was just transferred to the station, whose name I cannot remember and I. some of the officers had long police issue wooden baton, while others had short wooden baton, I never carry a baton. We managed to get into the house and get to the upper level of the two level houses and located the subject who was fast asleep, in a bathtub, within a master bedroom in the unfinished house. We managed to achieve all this without being detected.


The plan was, we will all enter the room where the subject was asleep, hold him down keeping him in the bathtub, while the person who was assigned, put on the handcuffs on the subject and take him into custody. All was going to plan; we entered the bedroom; as usual I took the lead, still without being detected by the subject. As a matter of fact, the subject was in full sleep mode. Still in the lead, We sprang on the subject and held him down inside of the Bathtub. While the assignee tried to put on the Handcuff. No one expected the subject to give up without a fight, when he was awakened, by the sudden rush of men, a struggle ensued.


By this time, the subject made it to his feet, I was holding onto a long police issued baton, which was in the subject’s hands. I did not know how he managed to get a hold of the baton. While both of us fought, I was still trying to contain the subject and I was doing really well in preventing the subject from leaving the bathroom area. At times I will release one hand from the baton, while keeping the other hand fixed firmly on the baton in order to wheel him back into the bathroom area. I wondered to myself; why no one is trying to put the handcuffs on the subject.


I had no clue of the circumstances that had arisen. I was still trying, my uttermost best, to keep the subject from leaving the bathroom. I knew if he was allowed to leave the confined area, then his escape was sure; and that will only make the police job much harder to apprehend him. I had the support and backing of my colleagues, at lease so I thought. Not understanding the circumstances that awaited me, I continues to prevent the subject from leaving the bathroom.

While my back was turned and my attention was focused on the restraint and the apprehension of Brian; one of my colleague took their baton; bottom first and wacked me in my jaw, rendering me unconscious. I fell to the floor on the bathroom. I did not know what transpired after I was rendered unconscious.


I do not know, for how long I was unconscious. It could not have been for too long; however, when I regain consciousness, I was in the room with the man who was in full mental decline; Brian was lifting me up from off of the ground; what he was going to do I did not know. However; When I went unconscious, I was in full fight mode and when I came through I was still in fight mode. By this time, Brian had lifted me, to my knees, he was still supporting my dead weight, when I regain consciousness.


Still in fight mood, I immediately restarted my efforts to apprehend Brian; as a result, I quickly made a conscious visual sweep of the bedroom, to locate my colleagues only to discovered that there were only two people in the unfinished master bedroom, and that was the subject and I. I am convinced that if the subject wanted to, he could have harmed me while I was unconscious; however, when I regain consciousness Brian was more interesting in running away, than doing me any harm. When Brian made his next move to get out of the bedroom, I did not make any effort to stop him. The man ran out of the bedroom, jumped through one of the windows and escape.


I came out of the bedroom and I looked for my colleague and they were not in the upper level of the house. I got to the lower level and they were not in the lower level of the house either. To my surprise, none of my colleagues were in the house. They had left me behind in the bedroom of the house leaving me with the man, who was in full mental decline, who was a clear danger. When I exited the house, I saw Station Sergeant Eckron Lockhart, Corporal Earl James and the newly transferred constable all standing outside near to the police vehicle. The look on their face was priceless; the men looked shocked to see me. I guess if they had the keys to the vehicle they would have left me behind.


I came out and I asked them what happened; I wanted to know why the three of them left me alone in the house with the mentally insane subject; who had a history of violence when he was in his current mental condition. No one had an answer, to justify their actions, It was then we return to the station, with the subject still at large.
Irealized I had severe pain whenever I try to eat, therefore, when I arrived at home on my day off, I brought my pain to my sister Clare's attention, who suggested that I go to the hospital to have my injury examined and diagnosed. it was this incident that brought me to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital to have my mouth examined. I was informed by the doctor that I have suffered a broken jaw.


Soon after I was transferred and later Ralph E. Gonsalves promoted Eckron Lockhart to Assistant Superintendent, and “Owl Face” James was allowed to work as a police without a contract for five years after his retirement; a small reward for trying to kill a colleague.