Ledson Seaton the only Bad Ass Police officer I knew.

I have been a police officer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines for nine years, seven months and twenty two days. I did not do ten years, because, Instead of working, for the next five months, to make ten years and get the glorious gratuity. I took up an offer that paid me, the equivalent in the first month.

However, while I work in the capacity in SVG, I came across and I heard of some exceptionally talented police officer. I heard of the Military propensity of Reynold Hadaway AKA Sadam, and the elevation he made at the Regional Security Service, I have been on two missions with Sgt. Michael Charles AKA Crocus who rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police but is now retired. For my entire policing career, I have never met or saw, another police officer, who managed a mission like he did.

I heard of the talent of Ben Jackson, I heard of and I saw the marksmanship of P.C. Samuel the Gutty: may the lord bless the soul of out dearly departed. I have seen the fierceness of S. Sgt. Calvin Glasgow; and I have witness for myself the policing brilliance of Calbert Straker, Let it be known, there are many other police officer, I could mentioned, who carved out a name for themselves, in the world of policing.

However, there is no one, and I say no one, I have ever seen in action or heard of; who can be considered a Badass police officer, other than Larceny Seaton.

Let me explain, why I come to this conclusion. Come with me on a Journey to May 1996. I have just finished the longest police training course, in police History. I did the regular six months police training at the Police Training School, After we did six weeks pre-basic Special Service Unit training, under the Watchful eyes of Sgt. Arden Tannis and his team. I also did six weeks internship at the Questelles Police Station; which was a riot.

Within that period at Questelles, I had a hit put out on me. Thanks to Sgt. Mc. who told a drug ring leader, their troubles, with the Questelles police was because of me. That is a story for another time.

Now we were assigned, I was sent to the Transport Section of the SVG Police Force. Of course, It was not my intent or desire, to work there; However, when I arrived at the office and I saw Sergeant (Sgt.). Adam Billingy, who was in charge of the section, I did not mind. I knew Sgt. Billingy very well, but we were not friends. Sgt. Billingy was the man, who took me on the Road, for my road test, when I went for my driver’s license.

Within five minutes of that exam, Mr. Billingy told me, to pull the vehicle to the side of the Road. I said to myself. O my goodness, not even five minutes in to the Road test and I failed the exams. I waited patiently, to hear those words from Mr. Billingy, you are not ready, let be drive we are going back to the Station.

I sat and I waited, to hear those words. then the sergeant opened, his mouth. and he said. Listen to me Mr. Palmer, I can see you are nervous, Jill (Jillian Howard my driver tutor) will never send you to me, unless she is sure, you can drive well enough; to pass the exams.

Mr. Billingy continued, It is not my job to fail anyone, I am here to access your driving. Furthermore I have seen you and Jill driving many time and you looked relax and you drove very well. So relax, pretend I am Jill. When you are ready lets go he said.

I looked over at Sgt. Billingy, who sat in the pinion driver's seat, I did not see any boobs or that narrow cute face Jill has, I said to myself, he said to pretend he was Jill, this is going to take some serious imagination, but if I were going to past this test, I better began the process; of imagining Sgt. Billingy was Jill.

As soon as I began to drive the car, Mr. Billingy began a conversation with me. Before I know it, we were at Central Police Station (CPS), where we started. I was successful, completed the drivers exam and I obtaining my driver’s license.

Although, I did not want to work, at the Transportation Section, I was happy to be supervised by such a good man. On Monday Morning when I arrived at the Transportation office, after I was introduced to the Staff at the office, Sgt. Billingy went into the other office to use the phone. After which he marched right into Superintendent (SOP) Telemach's office. He spent about twenty or so minutes with the SOP.

When Billingy walked out of the SOP's office, he was arguing to the top of his voice, Anyone who knows Sgt. Billingy and knows him well enough, They will know he don't every shout in anger etc. I could hear his voice through the walls. He said, they are going to waste this guy's intelligence and talents at Transport Section. He should be assigned at CID or Special Branch. He did much better, than all of them, who are assigned to specialized department.

When Sgt. Billingy, opened the door to the office, he had regained his composure. After he took his seat, he jokingly said to senior constable Lionel James, "James we have a bright boy in the office. He further said: I called training school and they told me, Palmer was one of the few guys, who were at the top of the class in every subject area. They (training officers) also said they recommended that he be placed to work at CID or Special Branch; but they higher ups send him here.

After a long talk with me in the presence of senior constable: Lionel James, Sgt. Billingy left the office. Then James said to me, you see the kind of man we are working with. Sgt. Billingy, will put his neck on the block, for you if you ever get into trouble. So don't bring any negative attention to the office. Then Senior constable James, told me, of some problems he had, when everyone turned their back on him; Stg. Billingy, was the only man, who stood up for and by him.

James said to me, in his authoritative manner; Palmer, make sure you are always, to the office on time, make sure, you are clean and when you are out on duty, performed your duty to the best of your ability; because, everything we do, reflects on the Sergeant.

Then, James said another thing, Anywhere the Sergeant is going, it does not matter where; he always tell us where he is going. No matter where the Sergent said he is going, it is no bodies business but his. If the commissioner calls and asked for the Sergeant, and he asked you where Sgt. Billingy is.: there is only one answer to give. Sir the Sergeant is out on Duty. When he return I will let him know you called. Would you like for him to return your call; nothing more.

I did not want to work at the Transportation section but it was a blessing. Under Sgt. Billingy's supervision, I learn what working camaraderie was all about. I also got the opportunity to meet and work with many diplomat from all around the world. Sgt. Billingy prepared me, he trusted me and he give me the opportunities.

However, That was the events of Monday, on Friday a small transfer came out. my name was on the transfer to be transferred to beat and patrol. I was told to report to CPS on Saturday morning, to falling at 6:00 am.

When I reported to Beat and Patrol, Cpl. Edda Ambris was the None Commission Officer (NCO) in charged. After inspection and assignment of duties, I went into the station's office. She did not prepared any duties for me; for she did not know, I was now a part of her patrol unit.

While I was in the station's office, the Corporal said to me, Palmer, I am assigning you to work at the Grenadines Whaft with Seaton. She further said: Seaton is a good police, he can teach you, a lot about policing.

I did not know anything about Seaton; from going back and forth while I was in training. I saw Seaton, he was tall, strongly built, and a very intense fellow. My first impression of him was: he looked like, the kind of man, you don't want, to get in an entanglement of any kind with.

However, It seems like, this senior constable, offended the higher ups in some way. He had sixteen years police service, but still a constable. He was always picked upon by the senior officers. It matted not; how well this guy was dressed, and he always appeared sharp, Assistant Superintendent Charles, the late SOP Wright, or SOP Osbourne Quow always picked on him. They found something to criticized.

There was something about the Seaton dynamics that confused me. Although the senior officers picked on Seaton every day and treated him like shit, the constables gravitate to him. and here we have; the head of the patrol unit, referring to him as a very good police.

I remembered I heard Seaton said while in the Dormitories, when he was asked about the constant nagging of the higher ups. He said they can talk all the bull shit they want. That is what they are paid for, but the day anyone of them make a mistake and touch me, they are going to see the different.

When Seaton arrived in the Station Office. Cpl. Ambris said Seaton, I am sending Palmer to work with you at the Grenadines Whaft. teach him what he want to know about policing. Please bear mind all we had was our uniform that Identified us as police officers and a short wooden baton.

While we walked to our assignment posting, Seaton broke the ice, by asking me, what will you like to learn? I said, I will like to learn, how to deal with hostile situations. Well not in those words. I also told him; I can fight, but having a fight and dealing with a violent person, as a police officer is two different things. Seaton said ok then he went quiet.

Don't forget, the only tool we had as police officers, were the uniform we wore that identified us, as police officers, and a short wooden baton. There were no radio, no handcuffs, no pepper spray, no firearm, no police car.

When we got to the Grenadines Whaft, Senior Constable Seaton led, and I followed by providing assistance and doing anything he asked me too. The main responsibility was traffic control. Our uniform was enough law enforcement, for the orderly crowd, gather there, to conduct their business.

About 9:45 A.M. or there about, We received information, there is a man waving a knife about, cussing and issuing threats to a woman. Seaton and I, went to the area, at the back of: the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Marketing Corporation, where we saw a man waving a knife around. However, We did not see a woman, although in the man's utterance, he was addressing a female.

I was still following the lead of the senior constable, We approached the angry man with the knife. Seaton tried to communicate with the man; but he continued to argue, at the top of his voice, along the same topic. It was like he did not hear Seaton.

Seaton told the man, in his cool, unimposing manner, look brother, no harm is done, no one is injured, calm down and put away the knife, and continue about your business.

I don't know, which of Seaton's suggestion got his attention, whether it was for him to calm down or for him to put away the knife. However, the angry man; turned his attention to the police, after he ignored everything, said to him. He said in Vincentian dialect: "Officer, if you come too close to me, ah go stab yo!" This became his theme, he repeated this over and over: "Officer if you come too close to me ah go stab yo!"

I was not sure if Seaton heard or understood the threat the man issued, to the police. Before the bush lawyers began to argue, that is not a threat, he said if, his words is condition. However, a conditional declaration, is a threat if, the condition prevents someone, from doing, take part, or participate in some lawful activity or activities. As police officers, we had at the lease a duty to get the name of the man who broke the law.

Senor constable Seaton's emotions, facial expression, body language, tone of voice, did not changed not even a little bit. he continue to speak to the man, as if, he did not hear the threats, which came, from the man's mouth.

I was not afraid, for I did battle with knife wielding men and prevailed over them, at least this time, I had a short baton. In my mind I have already determined what I am going to do if the man attack us with his knife.

Just when the man was about to repeat his threats, on a bright sunny day, lightning struck. The knife wielding man was just about to repeat his threats, while he was in the middle of the word officer. The last thing I heard was Off- the word were abruptly cut off; like the air was knocked out of the man.

I stood there, trying to process what just took place. Then Seaton voice shook me back into reality. Palmer! get the knife! Palmer get the knife! Seaton said. I ran forward took the knife out of the man's hand and we effect an arrest. The End

I know you are wondering, what the F- happened? The best way, for me to help you, understand what happened. I want you to go onto YouTube; look up Bobby Lashley's finishing move the spear.

While the man was issuing his threats, without any warning, or signal to me. senior constable Seaton, launched forward like a rocket, he hit the man in his abdomen, with his shoulder, in the process; Seaton took hold of the man's knife hand, at the wrist, and in the same movement, he destabilized the left hand of the man.

Seaton is what you call a badass police officer and his action was what you call badass policing. This was all I needed. to set the tone for the rest of my policing career. SSU training taught me: how to hide behind a gun, Questelles taught me: how to be brave in numbers, but four hours under Seaton's tutorage; I learn with will and courage; you can make the toughest job easy.

The people who grow up with me, are fully aware. I am an excitement junky. I live for and I am totally in love with, the excitement that come from: dangerous situations. When I saw Seaton's actions, I became excited; his act of courage activated my excitement glands.

Hence the reason, when I was called, to deal with many dangerous situation, as a police officer; no matter the challenge, I never ran; I never back down. I have disarmed a machete wielding man, I have tackle men twice my size and arrested them, I came up against five youths, who thought they were bad and I dealt with them; honorably of course.

I have been on missions, where those with me, though the situation was to dangerous, for us to deal with; let us call S.S.U they say. I told them; we cannot leave the community unprotected and I single handedly, face the danger and dealt with the matter. I have never left a person or a community in danger and ran back to the station, because I was afraid.

What was interesting was, the following day, the Sunday morning, there was another transfer that came out; with one person on the transfer. I was once again transferred to Transport Sections.

I think, the Authorities knew, Seaton had some real police skills, within him, they did not want other to know about or to emulates. No wonder I hear P.C. Williams and PC Nero another intense son of a bitch: Nero, always referred to P.C. Seaton as the Riot Squad.