Police, security ignorance appalling

THE EDITOR: It is a general understatement that our protective services are inadequate both in performing their duties, and also in addressing the simplest matters. A recent visit to the Tranquillity Government Secondary School presented the opportunity for me to view the security officers at that school and the police officers within the relative jurisdiction ironically. After following protocol upon my entrance, I proceeded to visit my daughter’s classroom. There was a slight clashing of the pilot-in-command personality style versus the passive aggressive, but I calmly obtained a visitor’s pass and moved on to attend to my business.

The male security officer then chose to hurl a series of obscenities and less than desirable phrases at me. I ignored him, but the insulting verbs were too much for my male companion who was visiting the school with me, so he responded to the guard in my defence. Upon leaving the school compound, I heard the sound of sirens; several police vehicles soon surrounded my fianc? and I on Victoria Avenue. A monotonous interrogation from our able police officers ensued. When my time was wasted enough, I curtly asked the police officers if I could be excused because both my companion and I had answered their questions.

Among the foolish few was one sensible police officer who observed that I had indeed followed protocol at the school, and obvious retaliation only occurred because the unprofessional security officer seemed unaware of his code of ethics. It is also amazing that vehicles and/or manpower were lacking a few weeks ago, when my teenager was assaulted on the school compound. None of the dutiful security officers intervened or called the police at that time because such an incident of physical abuse was not important.

Let me take the opportunity to openly thank the Form Four student who assisted and sought aid for my child. You have earned my respect. I also wish to thank my male companion for defending me when the security cursed at me. To the police officers who wasted my vital energy, “Your abysmal ignorance appals me.” The prospect of good security and sensible police officers at every level in our country seems out of reach presently. I am a realist, but I stretch my thought patterns today when I say: “There is always hope for improvement.”

ANGEL McPHERSON-PATRICK
San Juan