Being Black in Scarlet
by
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I held the position of Acting Sergeant in the Bankruptcy Unit, for over two years without been confirmed. Another corporal was eventually promoted to the position. I was told that I would be required to bring that sergeant up to date with the requirements of the Unit. I made it clear that under no circumstances would I train a person to be my supervisor. As a result, I remained in that position of Acting Sergeant until I retired in January 1998.
Once back in the Commercial Crime Section, my volume of work increased and I continued to enjoy the opportunity to handle major cases and to assist and provide direction for other members with their files. These activities provided much supervisory experience and fulfillment.
My main satisfaction however came from the opportunities to continue with my community relations work, both as a member of the RCMP and in my role as Vice President of the Association of Black Law Enforcers. My position as supervisor in my Unit gave me the opportunity to attend workshops and meetings, even outside my Detachment area, without having to ask for permission.
I took advantage of attending Force sponsored management courses and was able to receive the MAP Referral course that I was denied while working with the Immigration Task Force. I appreciated and admired the professionalism of the officers with whom I worked in the Commercial Crime Section. Although they were the ones who evaluated my work and prepared the annual assessments, they did not have any other input in the promotions process.
An excerpt from my final annual evaluation that was prepared in 1997, one year prior to my retirement, speaks for itself. This was now a shortened version of the written assessments, as the examinations were now a major factor in the promotion process:
"Cpl. Nolan is a member with twenty-three years of total service, over ten years of which have been in the rank of Corporal. He has approximately ten years of Commercial Crime experience and at present is the most senior member in the Newmarket Bankruptcy Unit.
Cpl. Nolan is an extremely diligent, calm, mature and dedicated member. He requires very little supervision and has shown strong support for his superiors and peers alike, during this assessment period.
Cpl. Nolan readily accepts and faces new and additional responsibilities and challenges. He has assumed the Sergeant’s position of Acting NCO i/c Bankruptcy Unit since June of 1996. Cpl. Nolan continues to fulfill this acting appointment in an exemplary manner. He has obtained the respect of supervisors, peers and subordinates by his manner and performance in this regard. It is my opinion that Cpl. Nolan would easily assume the additional responsibilities associated to promotion, should this opportunity become available in future.
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About the Book
Being Black In Scarlet details the experiences of a career policeman. It describes how his boyhood dream of becoming a policeman was realized in ways he could never imagine. The story spans a period of almost thirty-two years, twenty-five of which were spent in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police . It offers a rare glimpse inside the prestigious organization and describes how the career of the author was impacted by the systematic discriminatory practices encountered by Blacks and other Visible Minorities who dared to speak openly.
This insider’s look at the inner workings of the RCMP details the life changing experiences of a quiet, idealistic police officer who, in order to maintain his sense of identity and integrity, was forced to become an advocate for Visible Minorities. The emotional effects and the repercussions of his actions are clearly documented.
Throughout the story, the challenges of family life and other personal experiences are entwined with professional and career struggles and milestones. Through this intimate look at the man and the organization, the reader is reminded that the choices we make each day shape our lives in imperceptible ways and ultimately determine our legacy.
About the Author
Lynell L. Nolan was a career policeman. He started with the Royal St. Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla Police Force and after seven years migrated to Canada. There he spent over twenty-four years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His tenure in the RCMP was characterized by his struggle to advance the rights of Visible Minorities.
As a founding member of the Association of Black Law Enforcers and chair of the first four Annual Awards Balls, he worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between the local black communities and law enforcement.
Mr. Nolan now resides in Nevis,
where as a nominated member of the Island Assembly and through his weekly
newspaper column, he continues to speak out on issues of public interest.