Top recruit’s big plan

Recruit 2011 Aird Scott is a man on a mission. (Picture by Sharon Harding.)

By Carlos Atwell | Thu, December 22, 2011 - 10:27 AM

For years Aird Scott had an interest in criminology and criminal psychology.

Now the 26-year-old Vault Road, Welchman Hall, St Thomas resident is on his way to realizing his dream of becoming a detective as he is this year’s top recruit in the 135th Regional Police Training Centre’s (RPTC) passing out parade.

The DAILY NATION spoke to Scott yesterday hours before he officially graduated from the prestigious institution.

“I did not initially want to be a police officer . . . . I used to be more interested in teaching as both my parents are teachers. However, I always liked law enforcement, so I decided to try a psychology course at the [University of the West Indies] in 2005 and was really intrigued by forensic psychology [also known as criminal psychology] in particular, so I decided to pursue law enforcement,” he said.

Scott said his change of heart was supported by his parents, especially his father, whose height was the only thing that stopped him from joining the force himself.

Scott said he realized that becoming a successful detective was a long way off but he was willing and able to start at the bottom and work his way up.

“It was definitely a lot of hard work and involved physical training, studying and a lot of late nights and long days, but I had good course mates who helped me get through, especially Julian Rock and Quacy Rouse,” he said.

The six-month course was even harder than before as this year the RPTC partnered with the Barbados Community College to offer an associate degree in police science.

Chief instructor Christine Stanford, who said Scott was one of the best students she ever taught, said the institution’s programme had never been accredited, so now recruits had something more to work for. She said the extra courses were psychology, ethics and citizenship and Spanish.

However, none of this fazed Scott as much as drill, something he admitted he was still working to perfect. He said he thought the certification programme was a very good idea as it helped craft a more complete officer who could keep up with today’s changing criminal.

Scott also has a mission. Besides becoming an accomplished detective, he wants to tackle the growing disrespect for the keepers of law and order as well as the negative image he said some people had of the police force.

“The morals and standards of society are dropping, and there is a marked lack of respect for officers. I want to understand criminals because if I can do that, I can understand why they offend and be better able to cope with any situation.

“I [certainly] want to change the image that the police are unmannerly, brash and have no sense. That is not the typical officer and I want to change that image some people have,” he said.

Scott had some words of advice for anyone thinking about joining the Royal Barbados Police Force.

“It’s challenging and a lot of work, but it is still a good opportunity to better yourself. If you are coming, come to work,” he said.