Tribal Citizen Graduates from BCC

By Chris Jenkins

HOLLYWOOD — It was one of those days when all the hard work finally paid off. For tribal citizen and panther clan member, Allen Colon, graduation day from Broward Community College was special, as he received his certification as a police service aide, March 29.

As a student in the Broward Police Academy, Colon was among 19 others taking that walk into the future, to protect and serve.

The process began with six weeks of training from Feb. 20–March 29. Now that the hard part is finally over, Colon will begin a rotating shift with the Immokalee, Hollywood, and Big Cypress police departments. According to Colon, such a position gives him a foot in the door as well as an understanding into what law enforcement involves.

“It’s something I have always wanted to do since high school,” he said.

The decision to pursue his dream has been more than 20 years in the making and at age 39, he felt the time was right.

“I decided a year and a half ago that I’m going to go for it,” Colon said.

With all the work and potential dangers in law enforcement, Colon feels having a solid support system entering in, is important. His mother, Rachel Billie, along with brother Vincent, sister Kattiria, son Joshua and girlfriend Maria continue to back him in his pursuits.

“From family members to law enforcement, the support has been super,” Colon said.

The specific duties involved with his job are to serve on traffic and crash scene investigations, respond and answers delayed emergency calls and enforce ordinance and parking laws.

Colon says this is just the first step in his climb up the ranks, his plan is to grow and gain experience for one year as a police service aide, then begin the five month process of training to become a sworn police officer. Thereafter, Colon wants to maintain at least a 15 year career on the squad. Once his bad guy chasing days are behind him, he wants to pursue a career in tribal politics and administration.