Standing erect in full dress uniform, the young police officer knew that he cut a most handsome figure. At 21 years of age he stood 185cm in height and weighed in at 82kg. He had short, well groomed honey blonde hair and striking blue/green eyes. He also knew that there was not a spare gram of fat on his well muscled frame. All in all he was quite pleased with himself.
Just then, however, he was broken out of his self-admiration to give his oath. “I, John Boyd Douglas, do solemnly swear to serve the State in the capacity of police officer or in such other capacity as I may be promoted or demoted to, without malice or ill-favour and to protect life, property and the peace of the land. I also swear that in whatever capacity that I serve my foremost thoughts will be in the detection and prevention of crime. So Help Me God.”
Having recited the oath John then advanced to the table where a police Inspector sat waiting for him to sign the declared statement. This having been completed the newly sworn police officers let out a loud cheer and threw their caps in the air, the formalities of the evening having been completed.
People were milling around and congratulating various new members of the State’s finest while John stood aloofly in the background staring stonily at the gaiety that was in progress. His family had declined the invitation to attend. They were not on speaking terms due to his decision to become a police officer. John felt that he needed to undertake work in a profession where he could influence those around him in a substantial way. What better way of affecting the lives of those around you than by being in a position of authority such as that of a police officer.
Who needs family anyway? thought John, as he moved to his car. I’m better off on my own. This had become John’s litany of self-reinvention after the explosion of personalities that had taken place between himself and his father. His mother didn’t seem to care one way or the other and hadn’t even bothered to try and make contact with him after he had left home. That was 18 months ago now.
He still remembered the confrontation. John had announced to his father, a minor Senator within the Government, yet a man who wielded an amazing amount of influence in the backroom negotiations that take place in the shadowy realms of politics, that he intended to join the police force. His father had wanted him to follow his example and enter politics. John didn’t want anything to do with the corrupt halls of power that his father represented. That’s how John saw it and that’s what he told his father.
“Well if that’s what you think, there’s the door. My house is no longer your house. I can’t believe that I’ve fed and sheltered you all these years and you turn against me saying I’m corrupt. Well get out, go on. Get out and don’t come back.” His father then turned his back on John and stood firm enforcing his will and disowning his own son. The last thing John saw as he walked out of his family’s elaborate north shore Paradise City mansion was his brother’s grinning face. He was leering at him past his father’s implacable back. “It’s all mine now,” his brother called out gesturing at the house that had been John’s home for almost 20 years. Then his brother had started laughing.
Who needs family anyway, I’m better off on my own. Leaving the Academy quadrangle his only thoughts were of his coming two-day furlough. He had a weekend in which to cram as much living as he possibly could before commencing work at his new station 8am Monday morning. Revving his old Datsun he left the frivolities behind.
***
