I have never been one to worry about the things, I did not have control over. I had waited about 3-4 years for the fulfillment of an opportunity to become a teacher. This promise was made to me after I Surprised the Minister of Education, Mr. Hon. John Horne, when he learn of my qualification that was beyond the minimum qualification that was required to become a teacher.
That offered was withdrawn, publicly; by Mr. Horne whilst addressing the graduates of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Boys Grammar School, at their graduation ceremony, when Mr. Horne publicly announced a changed the minimum qualifications for entering the teaching profession. The change was just enough to disqualify me from becoming a teacher.
While I waited on the opportunity to become a teacher, I kept my job and I went to work daily at Beulah's yacht, where I was a part of a team that building Simi Luxury yachts; that was use for Caribbean tours.
After I realized the person who determined, who are haired and fired in the teaching profession, were working against me, I quickly conclude, there was no hope of me ever becoming a teacher, even If I went back to school and achieve above the minimum required qualifications for becoming a teacher; as I did before, what was there to prevent the minister in charge of the ministry of Education: John Horne, from raising the minimum qualifications to exclude me as he had done before.
Although I was disappointed, the matter was out of my control, and was not worth worrying over; as a result, I shock my head and I moved on. I wrote that experience down as a lesson learnt. Not being one to cry over spilt milk; I went and I applied to be an enlisted police officer. I submitted my application in 1994. After I completed the initial application process. When the recruiter saw, I have four O levels passes including English Language, he was impressed. As a result, he said to me, “so far; you are the most qualify applicant we have,” then he said: “you are going to be at the top of the list of people to be called". Sgt. Anthony Humphrey instructions was clear, "You have to listen to the public Service announcement on the radio, for your name and instructions.” at that time there were only one radio station on the island. National Broadcasting Corporations (NBC) - 705 Radio
I listened, I heard the names of many people were called, and were requested to report to the Old Montrose Police Station; however, I did not hear my name. The following day another list of names was called and they were instructed to report to the Old Montrose Police Station. Once again my name was not called.
I sense something was absolutely wrong, how is it, the first projected pick was left out. As a result, on that same day, I went to the Old Montrose Police Station, and to the office of Police Recruitment and Training, I met and I spoke to Sgt. Jonathon Nichols, I told him, why I was at the office. The Sergeant went to a filing cabinet and began to search through the files. He then said, these are all of the people who applied, there is no applications with your name on it. I think you should reapply, and bring proof of your qualifications.
I was upset, at the whole series of events. I went home, and immediately called Mr. John Horne, my constituency representative, and the minister of Education. I was not sure if Mr. Horne had anything to do with my technical rejection from enlisting as a police officer but I was not going to take any chances. Look at the deceitful and sneaky way in which he went about depriving me of a teaching opportunity. In my mind that means, the politician can and will do anything to deprived me of getting a job in the Government Service as retaliation for not becoming a member of his political constituency group.
When I heard Mr. Horne voice on the phone, I began the conversation by saying; Mr. Horne, you promised me a teaching job, you had me waiting forever, you never give me that job I was qualified for; and you change the minimum qualification to ensure, I did not get the teacher job; Now I applied to become a police officer, you all are depriving me of that opportunity to!
Mr. Horne, said in his official tone of voice, Allan what happened? I then explained to Mr. Horne what happened, he said in his big-shot official tone of voice, Allan, give me a minute let me get to the bottom of this. I will call you back.
I hanged up the phone, I patiently sat there by the phone and I waited for Mr. Horne to return the call. About 15 or 20 minutes later, the phone rang, I answered and Mr. Horne was on the other end. He said Allan, I got to the bottom of this, here is what I want you to do. Take copies of your qualification back to training office at Old Montrose Police Station, after which, go to police Headquarters on Bay Street in Kingstown, go to Mr. William Harry office, he is expecting you.
I went to the training office in compliance with the instructions, to drop off a copy of my qualifications. On my arrival to the Police training office, I met the two men I dealt with on both of my visit to the S.V.G Police Training School. Jonathan Nicholas, the officer who looked for my application without success was sitting at the desk, closest to the door, Anthony Humphrey was sitting at a desk immediately behind him. this seating position showed seniority between the two sergeants.
When Sgt. Nicholas saw me, He asked me what do you want, I said, I was told to bring proof of my qualification to this officer, and I am here to do that. The Sgt. got mad, and began to argue with me, I looked at him in the eyes, with a big victorious smile on my face and I said to him; listen, I did not come to argue with you, I am doing what I was told to do. Nichols continue to argue, his anger was targeted at me, but he was not arguing with me because I ignored him and his anger with a big victorious smile on my face. When Anthony Humphrey saw the debacle, that was slowly developing between Mr. Nichols and I, he came forward and he took the documentation from me and he said, don’t worry with him; he probably has problems; it is a stressful job.
I handed the documentation to Sgt. Humphrey and I left the office. By this time Nichols was cooling down. I did not know if Sergeant Nichols behavior was a test to see how I was going to handle high pressure situation. I did not feel no type of pressure from Nichols' behavior; for in order for a person too feel pressure in such case there must be a level of fear.
When I got to Mr. William Harry office, there were four other people, in the waiting room of Deputy Commissioner of Police office waiting to see Mr. Harry also. I though my wait was going to be long, however; unknowing to me, the four of us were there for the same thing. At this time, I was still unsure why I was at Mr. Harry's office; for all I was told was to report to the Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr. William Harry's office.
After waiting for a while, I was prepared to see the Deputy Commissioner in the order I arrived at his office. Then the phone rang, and the corporal who manned the office, said you guys can go in now. Still unsure who he was speaking to, he said you to Mr. Palmer. I entered the room with the other waiting young men. Mr. Harry did not waist anytime, he introduce himself, after which he ascertained our identity by asking out name. We were all given bibles, and Mr. William Harry, lead the swearing in of myself and four others.
As simple as that we were sworn in as Police officers, immediately, I had the powers of arrest, powers I was not qualified to use. After which we were given directions as to what we must do next. I has officially became a sworn police officer at approximately 1:30 PM on the 8th day of August 1994.
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