True and Fascinating Canadian History
A Mystery of the Mounties:
One Who Found Fault With Higher Learning
by J. J. Healy
A university education is not for everyone; the cost of a degree today is prohibitive; entrance marks are competitive, some programs are limited and set aside for the best and the brightest, certain spots are reserved solely for international students who pay exorbitant prices to study in Canada, and university is certainly not the place for students who prefer the trades; plumbers, woodworkers, electricians, mechanics, computer technicians, or hair stylists.
A university education is advantageous to students who want a foundation in critical thinking and analysis, and a community college is more appropriate for the trades. College is an excellent atmosphere for hands on learning and skills development. One must consider a number of personal factors before choosing between a university degree or community college training -- cost of the program and future job possibilities to name but two considerations.
After high school in 1964, my parents had hoped that I would follow my Dad's path at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, but I was more interested in the RCMP. I made a conscious decision to postpone university studies.
By 1984, I had completed 20 years of RCMP service, and I had served at a number of points across Canada but shift work had always got in the way of attending university classes on a continuous and uninterrupted basis. After spending four rewarding years as a Patrol Sergeant at Toronto’s International Airport, I set my sights on achieving a university degree. Now, I thought, was the time to focus on serious upper level studies. My professional goal with the RCMP was to achieve the rank of Inspector within 5 years.
But, in order to ensure the promotion to Inspector and to be competitive, the RCMP Commanding Officer in Toronto strongly suggested that I obtain a university degree. How I managed to successfully gain the degree is the focus of this short comedy act. There may a wee lesson here for all police officers in “The Mystery of the Mounties: One Who Found Fault with Higher Learning.” As an adult learner, I soon discovered that anyone who returns to school in mid life could well be terrified, but enriched yet very rewarded.
In the spring of 1984, I arranged for an interview with the Registrar at the University of Toronto. Dr. Alex Waugh said, “Write an essay, explaining your reasons for wanting to attend the U of T. Make it short and make it convincing.” I was successful with the short essay, and so I began part time studies in the summer of 1984 -- two nights a week -- every week -- 7 to 10PM. I was nearly 40 years of age.
I went to night classes in the summer, fall, winter, spring and the following summer. By the summer of 1985, my Academic Advisor realized that I was serious about my studies, and my grades were good so the U of T suggested that I apply to the RCMP for a one-year fully paid sabbatical (September to May) to take 5 full courses. By doing so, I could be well on my way to the degree.
If the RCMP should agree to give me a chance at a paid sabbatical, the U of T Registrar said he would agree to accept me full time. My studies had changed my life. I was hooked on school, but little did I realize that not everyone in the RCMP felt the same love for books. I was soon to discover that there was one particular person, an Inspector, who found fault with higher level learning.
In August, 1985, I submitted a request to the RCMP for a paid sabbatical. I outlined my academic plans for the short term, and the route that I intended to follow so that I would graduate say by, 1988. I also said that I hoped to be promoted to Inspector after I had received my degree from the U of T. My memo was delivered to the Staffing Officer in Toronto.
Far, far faster than a speeding bullet fired from a clean 9mm Service Pistol, my memo came zinging back to me from the Staffing Officer. The Inspector had obviously read my request for consideration to attend university, but he had scrawled across the memo, “Healy, you’re over the hill. Forget it!”
I wasn't angry, but I felt as rejected as an empty cartridge shell. I thought to myself at the very least, the Inspector might have said that other RCMP members were being considered, or that he might consider me sometime in the future, or there were no funds -- any of those reasons or any invention which he could have dreamed up would have helped to soften the twitch in his tone. But, over the hill? I was 40 but I only felt 20. I surely felt defeated, and my mind went into overdrive. "What got under his skin?" I thought.
But, then luck. Pure golden luck.
Next, several events happened faster than one can mount and dismount a pony. It was August, 1985 and very, very unexpectedly the Staffing Inspector announced his retirement. It was only a day or two after he had sent the 'over the hill' zinger to me. I couldn't help but see the humour in his retirement announcement -- he too had decided to return to university -- he had been hired at McMaster University as their Chief of Security. So there, I thought, “Oh sure, you’re going off to a place of higher learning, but you just dismissed my urge to follow university." I thought, "What am I to do?"
The following day, I saw Mister Inspector ‘So and So’ in the corridor, and we shook hands. “Good Luck at university,” I said, while also feeling very disheartened and all the time thinking about his future, his retirement, and him 'sort of' going to university instead of me. Then, he was gone. It was surely a big mystery that he had not considered my request for higher book learning. I didn't raise the issue of my rejection, but I thought, "Did he hold a personal grudge against books? Against higher learning? Perhaps he had failed school along the way?" Those were all mysterious questions which I had plenty of time to ponder.
A day or two later, I was walking along Jarvis Street in Toronto. Lo and behold, but a voice unexpectedly shouted out, “Hi Joe, how are you?” It was Inspector Barry Daniel. We had not seen each other for twenty years, but Barry had just been transferred into Toronto as the new Staffing Officer. Years earlier as a senior constable, Barry Daniel had been my Field Trainer in Burnaby Detachment between 1965 and 1966. On the streets of Burnaby, Barry and I had gotten along famously, we had been in some dangerous situations together, and he had not forgotten our partnership.
After renewing our friendship, Barry asked, “What are your doing, Joe?” I told him about my hope to attend university, but that my request had been blown unceremoniously out of the water by his predecessor. Barry said, “Joe, go fetch that memo and bring to me immediately!” Within a few minutes, I was standing in Barry's office with the famous memo, and the scratch marks which clearly said, "Healy, you're over the hill. Forget it". Barry Daniel said, “Joe, ok, if you get accepted at the U of T, then you’re off to university next week. Let me know your results." That was it. All wrapped up like a present by an old friend.
As it turned out, Barry Daniel was also an adult learner. He had once attended law school, he had been highly successful in a variety of senior RCMP positions and he also held a deep appreciation for older RCMP members who wanted to improve their education.
I have forever been thankful for Barry Daniel's friendship. His kindness taught me a very valuable lesson about life -- no one can truly succeed in life without the support of family, friends and loved ones. And, care for and show genuine interest in other people with whom you work. So often, I think back to the summer day when I met Barry Daniel on Jarvis St. in Toronto. As well, university studies are very possible for an adult at any stage of life. Studies and exams can be strenuous, but there is a host of help available for anyone who seeks it out.
In the meantime, my work in Commercial Crime was going well, and I was promoted to Staff Sergeant. I completed the one year paid sabbatical program successfully, then I continued more courses over the next two years (1986 to 1988). I graduated from the U of T in the Spring of 1988 with my degree. Soon after convocation, I received my Commission to Inspector.
In addition to my work responsibilities, I became a dedicated student. University studies changed my life for the better, and I looked forward to all my classes which I found to be absolutely fascinating. I discovered that I was naive because I had not realized until I attended classes at the U of T how much research had been done in the field of Canadian policing and law enforcement.
All in all, my university studies were enriching, but they also made me a more appreciative person, a far more tolerant police officer and overall a better Canadian. And most of all, the University of Toronto experience was due to a great friend who gave me a chance to attend full time studies. Barry Daniel, LLB and retired RCMP.
I too was accepted at law school after the U of T, but that’s another whole mystery for later.
The end.
Reporting from the Fort,
J. J. Healy,
April 18, 2018
