It was Friday morning, I was getting ready to leave work, on a day off, when I was informed that I will be transfer to the Biabou Police Station, the transfer is effective the following day. I always looked forward to being transfer to a new police station, and or a new police district. A transfer was never a problem for me, ever since my first transfer to Barrouallie Police Station some eight years earlier. Sgt. Billingy was my Supervisor, at the time and he saw my apprehension about the uncertainty.
Sgt. Billingy had a knowledge of who were working at all of the police station, and he knew them by names. As a result, he told me "do not ever be afraid of a transfer; always look forward to meeting new people to work in a new community." He continued "I know the fellows who are working at Barrouallie and they are all nice people, good fellers to work with." He called some of the names to put me at ease. He jokingly said, there is a beautiful woman police at Barrouallie, her name is Ms. Clark, you will like Ms. Clark" Sgt. Billingy said, pause for a while as a big optimistic smile erupted on his face. Then he continued: "the next time I see you, you may be married" then he had a good laugh in a typical Billingy carefree style.
Sgt. Bill's encouragement was what I needed at that juncture. I enjoyed Barrouallie so much I always looked forward to transfers. It was Saturday Morning and I reported to Biabou Police Station; Sgt. Ashley Francis was the None Commission Officer (NCO) responsible for the station and the personnel for the weekend. I knew Sgt. Francis from my assignment at the Transport Division a subsidiary department of the Traffic Branch.
Sgt. Billingy had a knowledge of who were working at all of the police station, and he knew them by names. As a result, he told me "do not ever be afraid of a transfer; always look forward to meeting new people to work in a new community." He continued "I know the fellows who are working at Barrouallie and they are all nice people, good fellers to work with." He called some of the names to put me at ease. He jokingly said, there is a beautiful woman police at Barrouallie, her name is Ms. Clark, you will like Ms. Clark" Sgt. Billingy said, pause for a while as a big optimistic smile erupted on his face. Then he continued: "the next time I see you, you may be married" then he had a good laugh in a typical Billingy carefree style.
Sgt. Bill's encouragement was what I needed at that juncture. I enjoyed Barrouallie so much I always looked forward to transfers. It was Saturday Morning and I reported to Biabou Police Station; Sgt. Ashley Francis was the None Commission Officer (NCO) responsible for the station and the personnel for the weekend. I knew Sgt. Francis from my assignment at the Transport Division a subsidiary department of the Traffic Branch.
The morning at the Biabou Police Station, got off to a slow start. Sgt. Francis was working station officer, we were all hanging around the station doing nothing, then Sgt. Francis suggested that I go out and make a patrol to learn the district, in his own words "come Monday we have a lot of work to do." As a result, I went on a patrol, I knew the place, but I was not familiar with the boundaries of the villages and the official names of the streets. As a result, I made a blind drive through the district.
It is important to note, that the rural areas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines did not have posted street names, or indicators of entering and exiting a parish, a town, or a village. A new police officer or a tourist going about on the island, will have to find their way around base on major landmarks.
I drove through Greggs Village. Unfortunately, my knowledge of Greggs was more theatrical than experiential. I knew Greggs but I did not know much about Greggs, it was one of the stop on my father's Sunday expeditions on the Windward Course. We made one stopped at his friend: Mr. Daniel’s Shop in Greggs and another stop at Morris Shop in Lowmans Windward.
A lot of people do not know that Greggs, Lauders and Lomans Windward are where the greatest remnant of the Garifuna people in S.V.G resides. After the Carib war, and after Chief Chatoyer was alleged to have been killed, rather then captivity or suicide they escape to the dense mountain ridge on the island where they still life today. It is important to note, it is not safe for men from other part of the island, for whatever reason, to move into and take up residence in these communities; however, it is quiet acceptable from the men to bring in their woman.
In addition to this, my other experience was related to me by friend; from my neighborhood. Once Nola Debique/John, organized a youth soccer team from Rose Place (Bottom Town) to travel to Greggs to participate in a friendly soccer game. This even took place on a Saturday morning, I was going on the trip; however, I went to church instead. I was anxious to learn about the trip.
A lot of people do not know that Greggs, Lauders and Lomans Windward are where the greatest remnant of the Garifuna people in S.V.G resides. After the Carib war, and after Chief Chatoyer was alleged to have been killed, rather then captivity or suicide they escape to the dense mountain ridge on the island where they still life today. It is important to note, it is not safe for men from other part of the island, for whatever reason, to move into and take up residence in these communities; however, it is quiet acceptable from the men to bring in their woman.
In addition to this, my other experience was related to me by friend; from my neighborhood. Once Nola Debique/John, organized a youth soccer team from Rose Place (Bottom Town) to travel to Greggs to participate in a friendly soccer game. This even took place on a Saturday morning, I was going on the trip; however, I went to church instead. I was anxious to learn about the trip.
I was informed that the team from Bottom Town was beating the Greggs team bad; the members of the community got upset and actually got involved in the game, as a result, of the community involvement, the members of the Bottom Town team had to run for their life, in order to get away from an angry mob that began to chase and throw stone at them. Boy was I happy I was not a part of the expedition. The team was made to run from the Greggs playing field to Lowmans Bridge where the Driver of the van went to have a drink at a shop.
However, today, I was a police in the Greggs Community, I was in the process of driving through the village, and as I drove each time I saw an elder in the community, I reduced the speed of the vehicle extend a friendly good morning to them; they often reply with a friendly good morning in return. I was making connections and establishing myself with the people.
Each time I went into a new community, I choose senior citizen and young children to befriend. This was so because most of the time a senior is going through a period of insecurity and could always benefit from being friends with a police officer; they are more likely to reciprocate your friendship. The other members of the community I befriend are the children, and I do so because they are curious, they are not tainted with the stereotypical mentality about police officer. They also are quick to reciprocate your friendship. When the other members of the community see you interacting with the old people and playing with children, they see as being ok friendly person and they tend to trust you and consider you to be a cool police officer.
I was driving north along the Greggs Main Road, when I reached near the Seventh Day Adventist Church; I came upon four senior citizens standing on the left side or the western side of the road; in front of a house having a friendly conversation. There was one woman sitting on what look like a bench in front of her door; from her position, one can conclude that she was the lawful occupant of that house. The door of the house was about three and a half feet above the Greggs Pubic Road. There was a wall stairway, which consisted of about four steps, which connected the house to the public road.
One of women was standing on the second round of the four steps, which made up the stairsway; while the other two women stood on the public road in front of the steps of the single story house. I came to a stop where the women were speaking and I said good morning ladies, how are you all doing today. The lady in turn told me good morning and declared that they were doing find. We had a short conversation, where I introduced myself as a new police to the district, then I continue my patrol.
I drove north to the end of the main road, and discovered it was the end of the road - a dead end; as a result, I turned the marked police vehicle around and went back from whence I came traveling south along the Gregges Public Road. When I arrived in the approximate vicinity, where I saw and spoke to the four elderly women who were still engaged in conversation; I notice three young men in their early to mid-twenties walking north, opposite of my travels on the Greggs Public Road. They were smoking a very fat marijuana cigarette openly. They blew the smoke in the air with no regards or respect for the senior citizen, who were standing on the side of the road enjoying a friendly Saturday morning conversation.
The fellers saw the police vehicle coming towards them, but they did not alter their behaviors. I slowed down the marked police vehicle; I hanged my right hand and my head out of the vehicle, in order to speak to the youths. I am now in the immediate vicinity of the elderly women; I asked the young men, Is that legal? I was speaking of the Marijuana Cigarette they were passing around between the three of them as they walked along the street, freely blowing their smoke into the fresh Greggs mountain air; they refused to modify their behavior, even with the approaching mark police vehicle.
I am not one to arrest a person for smoking a Marijuana joint; if I were to, I would have been a hypocrite. I am from Bottom Town, and frequented Paul's Avenue (The Slum) I have been around Marijuana smoking most of my life, a large number of my friends smoked, one of my best friend and mentor’s; Jah-I smoked, even though he have never smoked in my presence, since I became a police officer; however he would put out his spliff, when I was present. Let us not forget the charge for Marijuana is not smoking, but simply having marijuana in your possession.
I was about to drive off leaving the young men to go on their way. When I heard the one of the young men said: “officer; if you know what is good for you, you will go on your way”. I realized to let that remarks pass will not be good for my credibility policing that community. After all, I am a police officer - I enforce the law, I am from Bottom Town - grow up among the toughest; Love-I, Jah-I, nor Ming would not have back down from such a challenge; I am the son of Hamilton Palmer - I have seen my father fight numerous times; he was never afraid and I am the little brother of The Nazi: my Karate teacher - Nazi had prepared me for moments like these; therefore, I was ready.
All of these men always find a way to overcome their adversaries when the odds are against them. I am their student; I am the student of the best. I was not afraid of these guys. I have fought against multiple opponent before and walked away standing tall. However, this was a different situation. Nevertheless, I was not going to show fear not even under the circumstances. I got out of the police vehicle, unarmed, and without the police issued baton.
All of these men always find a way to overcome their adversaries when the odds are against them. I am their student; I am the student of the best. I was not afraid of these guys. I have fought against multiple opponent before and walked away standing tall. However, this was a different situation. Nevertheless, I was not going to show fear not even under the circumstances. I got out of the police vehicle, unarmed, and without the police issued baton.
By this time, One of the residence who saw the confrontation, and knew what the young men were like; immediately placed to the Biabou Police Station, informing the Sgt. of the current situation. There was only one problem, the Biabou Police Station had one vehicle and I had the vehicle. I totally forgot the senior citizen were present and looked my focus on dealing with the debacle I was now involved in. I walked over to the three young men; who proceeded to surround me, as if to launch an attacked from three different angle simultaneously. I did not have a plan, when I got out of the vehicle, but I knew I could not be allow the brazen remarks to go unchecked.
I decided to focused my attention on the person with the Marijuana Cigarette, I impulsively stretched out my hand and I held on to the young man with the Marijuana cigarette in his hand. I held him by the front collar of the shirt he was wearing, and with one hand slightly bend at the elbow; I managed to lift the young man off of his feet. I know without a doubt that I was not strong enough, to lift a small boy off his feet, with my left out-stretched hand, being right handed; much less a fully grown young man. The young men were dumbfounded at the supernatural (Devin Strength - Devin intervention) display of strength, and so was I.
The fellow with the Marijuana cigarette, quickly pass the cigarette to the person on his left my right. I quickly release the hold I had on that young man, freeing up my left hand; after which, I turn my attention to the guy with the Marijuana cigarette; and with lightning fast speed and instinct; with my elbow turned up, I took my right hand, placing my thumb on the back of his hands between his knuckles and his wrist, with my four fingers on the palm of his hand; then I bring my hand back to the normal position, securing the young man in a painful wrist lock. I then take my left hand and I took the cigarette from his hand.
After which, I slowly release the hold on the wristlock. I then proceeded to unfold the Marijuana Cigarette, I took my finger swept the content of the wrapping paper into the nearby drain. After which, I proceed to give the young men a little talk about respect. Not respect for me, or for the police but respect for the senior citizens, the contribution they have made to the development of the country and the community. I also point to my new friends (the four Seniors) while I spoke.
When I got back to the station, the Sergeant was waiting for me, He said: "Palmer what happened in Greggs, people called me tell me I must come up Greggs now; because the police in trouble. I could not come because we did not have any transport;" he paused for a while looking at me with a nervous smile on his face, then he continued; I called the Mespo Police Station for the transport. then the people call back and say the problem resolve. Later I discovered Sgt. Francis had Greggs cornered. He had developed some very crucial relationship in that community that kept him up to date on activities as the happened in Greegs. "So Palmer what happened in Greggs?" he asked again bubbling over with curiosity. I said nothing really, just a little altercation with some youths; which I dealt with.
A few weeks later, on my return to work from weekend off; I noticed there were three or four guys in custody. I assumed my colleagues had an extremely busy weekend. On inquiring about what had happened and why the young men were in custody; On of my colleagues said to me: "Palmer your "course B" (people who train together to become police officers), heard of what you did in Greggs, he tried to do the same thing, and the guys beat him up bad."
Apparently one of the police officer with whom I was trained; a residence of Greggs, heard of my encounter with the three fellers with the Marijuana cigarette, and how I dealt with the matter. As a result, he tried to make a name for himself in the community and in doing so; he try to arrest someone in Greggs for smoking Marijuana and the guys took liberty and they beat that officer up, to the point where he had to go on sick leave. Special Service Unit (SSU) officer had to be called out, to take control of the incident and arrest the assailants.
All in all, the people of Greggs accepted me as a part of the community. I got invites to hang out with them, to house parties, weddings, Church; outings etc. I respected and spoke to everyone I met it mattered not if I had opportunity to arrest them before and they did the same to me. I felt like a part of the community and I hated leaving.
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Apparently one of the police officer with whom I was trained; a residence of Greggs, heard of my encounter with the three fellers with the Marijuana cigarette, and how I dealt with the matter. As a result, he tried to make a name for himself in the community and in doing so; he try to arrest someone in Greggs for smoking Marijuana and the guys took liberty and they beat that officer up, to the point where he had to go on sick leave. Special Service Unit (SSU) officer had to be called out, to take control of the incident and arrest the assailants.
All in all, the people of Greggs accepted me as a part of the community. I got invites to hang out with them, to house parties, weddings, Church; outings etc. I respected and spoke to everyone I met it mattered not if I had opportunity to arrest them before and they did the same to me. I felt like a part of the community and I hated leaving.
For Facebook response click the link
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