Police PublicCommunications
Enlightened by Blind Receptionist
"Thereis no such this as being handicapped ... everyone can do at leastone thing in life if you are not brain dead ... I am not handicapped... I just happen to be blind"
This is what an enthusiastic, eclectic 18-yearold Rotania Nickelson had to say when contacted about her appointmentas a Communications Officer with the Royal Cayman Islands Police(RCIP).
Rotania, the second oldest of seven childrenhas been appointed to serve the RCIP and the public - so thatshe can function in a capacity she has handled effectively previouslywith dexterity at another job. Her present position requires thatshe responds to and direct incoming telephone calls into PoliceHeadquarters.
In her previous appointment in a similarcapacity at Foster's Airport Centre, she shared responsibilitiesfor almost a full year with with two other telephone receptionists."I am really grateful to Mr. David Foster and his son, Woody... for taking a chance on me ... it is because of the experienceI gained at Foster's I feel confident that I will do well or betterfor the Police Service."
"Tania" ... as she is called,has made a name for self over the past three years as a stand-upcomedian at the annual Miss Cayman Islands contests - mirroringthe humour of Trinidadian comedian, Paul Keen Douglas.
Not one to be shy when dealing with thepublic ... she got her present appointment by approaching Commissionerof Police Mr David Thursfield direct, when he visited the corporateoffices of Foster's few weeks ago. She stated to him then, thatif she was to get a job with the Police - she can help him catchthose involved in criminal activity. The Commissioner encouragedher to apply for a temporary post, but she felt that she wantedsomething with permanence.
Her tenacity paid off by following up withMr. Thursfield, who told her to apply for a full time positionwhich became vacant.
Rotania is now well entrenched in the firstline of fire from the general public making calls into PoliceHeadquarters.
When asked how she would be able to helpthe Police reduce crime, she replied: "I have the advantageof being able to 'see' people's sincerity ... through the mannerin which they speak to me. That's not me ... its a gift that Godhas given to me."