Shantel C Powell, a police constable attached to the St. Catherine North Division, gives true meaning to “serve, protect, and reassure” as she is armed with more than just her academy training but is a soldier on the battlefield for Christ as well.
Powell, a Christian for over 12 years, has a BSc. in Applied Sciences Forensic Chemistry and previously taught Chemistry at Cornwall College in Montego Bay, St. James.
She is a motivational speaker, empowerment agent, and aspiring author working on her first book, Esprit de Corps: A Faith Building Encouragement for Police and Other Paramilitaries.
Powell elaborating on the catalyst for the upcoming book, which will be out in April, said it is simple: her intention is “to serve and grow, impact and go.”
“I strongly believe that when God puts you someplace, He wants you to impact that space for His glory, and writing this book offers a way to connect with God and maintain that connection. God has chosen to show Himself through me, and I am honoured,” she divulged, adding that she wants to see every police and paramilitary personnel in a position of confidence in God, and this desire, she notes, comes through her daily engagement with Him.
The book, declared Powell, will also be responding to a need, as she revealed that in carrying out their duties as police officers, there’s a lot of strain on them that thrusts them out of their regular routine. “When this happens, many drift away from the fold and unfortunately backslide. This book brings to my readers the possibility of seeing God in their daily activities and engaging Him accordingly. The truth is, God is always talking, but who is listening?” she enquired, going on to say that God calls us to take small steps towards what He is calling us to, and that is the reality she wants her readers to accept. Hence, she sees herself as a conduit being used by God to bring His Word across to His people.
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY IS MY FIRST LOVE
Powell admitted that her time in the classroom was just a stopgap measure while she waited for the Jamaica Constabulary Force to hire her.
“I left the classroom to pursue my dreams in forensic chemistry. I hope to serve in the Technical Services Division (specifically, Scenes of Crime). “I believe I can be a valuable asset to the JCF as we use science to exonerate the innocent and bring perpetrators to justice,” she said of her long-standing desire to join the force.
With police suicides making headlines as well as people dying suddenly, the need to relieve stress and have a safe outlet for overwhelming emotions is very important. Cognizant of that reality, Powell said nothing is more relieving than knowing you have the support of a God who cannot fail.
Still, she offers some practical advice on de-stressing:
- boundaries, separate work from home and me-time.
- Set smart goals and work consistently towards achieving them. If every day you make an effort towards your goals, you’ll be surprised at the ease with which you achieve them and the pressure you take off your mind.
- Leisure MUST be intentionally placed in your schedule and honoured.
- Create a circle where you can freely unburden yourself; it’s still true that a problem shared is a problem halved.
- Clearly define your soft-landing and respect it, and retreat as often as you can.
THE COPPER WOOD, CLARENDON CLAN
Born in the farming community of Copper Wood, nestled in the cool hills of Northern Clarendon, she is the 16th of 17 children for Winston ‘Dickey’ (now deceased) and Gloria ‘Joy’ Powell.
She recalls the struggle to survive as her family was not the ‘most honourable’ due to our social status.
Powell said, “We were laughed at and looked down on, but we were busy making our lives better by reading, studying, praying, listening to intellectual discourses, finding our talents, finding the truth, making memories by entertaining each other, and nestling joy in our home.”
A member of the Copper Wood Ebenezer Holiness Church of God, she surrendered her life to the Lord 12 years ago. On Saturday, February 27, 2010, her walk with Christ saw Him re-shaping her identity, and from that transformation, she was able to motivate and inspire those in her sphere of influence.
“My identity in Christ gave me the drive I needed in 2015 to leave home to pursue tertiary education when everyone thought it was impossible. God has a way of boosting your little faith by showing up big; I received a 4-year scholarship from the Sagicor Foundation. I stopped taking student loans after year 2. I received a sports scholarship (because I played football for UTech, Ja.), a leadership scholarship, and other grants, and that’s how I made it through UTech.”
God showing up big time in her life gave her the confidence she needed, as well as placing her in some unmatched positions. With God taking care of her ‘impossibilities’ while on campus, she was able to bring hope to her fellow students, challenging them to believe and walk in faith, and praying for them.
