Tribal Citizen Graduates from Police Academy

Allen Colon Will be Third Seminole in SPD

By Judy Weeks

FT. MYERS, Fla. — Tribal citizen Allen Colon achieved a lifelong goal when he graduated from the Southwest Florida Public Service Academy as a member of the 111th Basic Law Enforcement Class on June 8.

Commencement proceedings took place at Dunbar High School in Ft. Myers. Assistant Director of the School and Law Enforcement Coordinator Patrick Flahive presented the class before a crowded auditorium.

“These students have completed 768 hours of training and are the 111th Class in the history of our school,” Flahive said. “Of 38 students, not one failed to complete the course. Even more remarkable, I am proud to say that they have achieved the highest academic average of any class to date with a 93 to 98 percentile. This will set a very high standard for those who will follow in their footsteps.”

Continuing Flahive remarked, “The 111th Class frequently competed in exercises and games with the fire department, office of corrections and other law enforcement groups during their course of study and have remained undefeated.”

Officer Keith Henson of the Florida Department of Corrections then presented the graduation certificates to the 111th Class.

Working under SPD Chief Charlie Tiger, Colon will be the third Tribal citizen employed by the Seminole Police Department (SPD). He has been assigned to work at the Big Cypress Reservation.

Colon was born 40 years ago in Naples to Rachel Billie and Angelo Colon; he had two brothers and three sisters. Allen grew up in the Fort Myers area and always had a keen interest in law enforcement. However, upon completing high school, such a career was not possible as he accepted the more pressing responsibilities of his family. Until recently, he resigned himself to the fact that he would never have an opportunity to attain his goal.

Learning that there were job openings at SPD, he investigated the possibilities and was delighted to discover that he could qualify as a public service aide after completing a minimal training course. Jumping at the opportunity, he signed on as soon as possible.

Upon meeting the necessary requirements, Allen accepted his first assignment working for SPD at the Immokalee Reservation. Very happy in his new position, he assumed that he had reached his limitations. He said he did not think the police academy was within his grasp because of his age and the number of years since he had attended school.

Finally, giving into the pressure exerted by his co-workers and family, he enrolled in the law enforcement program offered in Fort Myers which began on Jan. 8. Coincidently, this undertaking took place within days of the arrival of his and wife Maria’s first son, Joshua. He now became even more determined to succeed.

Each day began with rigorous physical training that included a great deal of running as the cadets got their bodies into shape. Long hours were spent in academic training following the basic curriculum of law enforcement, the Constitution and first responder qualifications.

Physical training operations included learning both defensive and offensive moves, disarming a perpetrator, rapid response conditioning, vehicle operation and the firing range.

“We took part in real life scenarios, which were very scary,” said Allen. “Our weapons were loaded with soap pellets which caused blood blisters when they hit their targets. Fortunately of all the students in my class, my partner and I were the only ones who were never shot.”

“I wish I could say the same about the pepper spray and Tazer certification,” he continued. “In order to pass the course, we had to submit to both treatments. It certainly makes you think twice before using either weapon.”

His mother Rachel Billie said she is very proud of her son’s accomplishments and hopes that he will become a role model for his nephew Angelo, his son Joshua and other Tribal youth.