“If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm”
On August 11th Barbados born Police Constable (PC) Ian Demetrius Chase celebrated celebrated his retirement after serving in the Royal Anguilla Police Force for 19 years. Now age 55, Mr. Chase departed Anguilla on Wednesday to return to his homeland.
Over the years PC Chase gained a reputation on the street as “Chase” leading many to think is was a nickname seeing as he worked in traffic patrol. His ironic name and position symbolism, among other things, convinces Mr. Chase that serving the country as a officer for so long was nothing short of fate. He began his career as an police officer in 1983 in theTurks and Caicos Islands. There he worked for approximately five years, after which he returned toBarbadosto work another five years before coming to Anguilla in 1993.
In the retirement speech given at the dinner/party held in his honour at Paradise Cove Resort, Mr. Chase spoke with passion as he reminisced on his struggles and triumphs as a patrol officer. He touched on the topics of family, finances, constable duties, and emotional stability as an audience of his peers and loved ones listened intently.
Mr. Chase laminated on emotionally trying times in the line of duty. He recalled having to photograph the scene of an accident where a young boy, no older than a toddler, was killed on site. “Being the father of two little children at the time, emotion got the better part of me and tears rolled down my cheeks” he said as he painfully recalled the tragic incident. He witnessed many scenes of tragedy and loss including the death of a beloved colleague due to a traffic accident inIslandHarbour, sadly, one that he was assigned to record. Years of these incidents took a toll on him, even causing him frequent nightmares and emotional distress as he was expected to show little or no emotion remaining professional through it all. “As a police officer, you are supposed to be made of metal so to speak” Mr. Chase remarked as he recalled the reaction of others to his pain. “I had to tell them that I was only human.”
Withal, Mr. Chase took great pride in his work and went on to express the joys of his duties as a police officer. He found pleasure in recovering people’s lost or stolen prized possessions and keeping Anguilla’s communities safe. The joy of “coming full circle” in his career was the highlight of evening.
Mr. Chase went on to say that “it is and honor in one’s chosen career to reach retirement and I liken it to seeing the sun shine, having weathered the storm and to retire with grace.”
He went on to announce that he will be returning toBarbadosto relax and further his photography in a more free and pleasant atmosphere. Travel and further personal growth are also some of Mr. Chase’s goals for the future. “One is never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream” he remarked in closing, and thanked his guests and event coordinators. His final words offered a charge to the remaining law enforcement officers to work “in unity” to keepAnguillathe gem that is is.
Article by: Jemila Morson
