PORT MARIA, St Mary — She became a mother in 10th grade but refused to be the stereotypical teen mom. Her dream of being a member of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) almost died with her first attempt when she was told she was too short for the job. She tried again and was the only one of 15 applicants from a youth group who made the cut.

Bobette Morgan-Simpson gave 35 years of her life to JCF. Her last day on the job was October 9.

Now retired from her six-year-long role as superintendent of police in charge of St Mary, she can look back at her career in JCF with pride. If she had to do it all over again she would still be a cop.

“This is what paid for my house and car, etc,” Morgan-Simpson said with a sense of pride.

She has never been afraid of hard work and was not one to give up when times were tough.

Born in Davyton, Manchester, she attended Belfield Primary School and later DeCarteret College; she finished high school by doing evening classes at Knox Community College. During the days she worked at a chocolate factory in Williamsfield, Manchester, to provide for herself and her son.

Her salary was barely enough, and a friend urged her to find a better way to make a living. By then she was an active member of her community’s police youth club — she has held positions of secretary and president of the Area Three Police Youth Club Council. In 1986 she made her first attempt to join the police force; she was rejected.

“The policeman said I was too short,” Morgan-Simpson recalled.

During a police youth club meeting she voiced her determination to be a cop. With moral support from her then group leader Veronica Thompson (nee Williamson), she did the assessment again.

“Fifteen of us came for the test and I was the only one who was successful,” Morgan-Simpson said.

She was the second female superintendent in charge of the parish of St Mary; Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay was the first. As a female officer in a male-dominated field, Morgan-Simpson has had to face down challenges. Through it all she has remained focused on working hard and maintaining her self-respect which, in turn, earned her the respect of her peers.

“I have gained the respect and have a good working relationship with my male counterparts, which over the years has grown,” she said.

In her policing she has also made an effort not to exclude anyone from the parish.

“I don’t judge persons based on what a person may say about them; I will get to know you. And I can say that all my stakeholders and I have an excellent working relationship,” she said.

Morgan-Simpson has also tried to maintain strong relationships with her colleagues, and said one of the things that has brought her joy over the years is making sure her team members know she appreciates their efforts.

“When I do a recommendation for a hard-working member who is deserving of being promoted and they in return would come back and say, ‘Thank you, Sup,’ that is priceless. Or recognising members for their hard work and a member hugs you and say, ‘It’s first time I’m being recognised for all the years that I’m in St Mary.’ That fills my heart with lasting memories,” said Morgan-Simpson.

If there is one regret it is the unfavourable working conditions under which members of JCF in St Mary have to work.

“The fact that I’m leaving and the Port Maria station is still not ready for occupancy saddens my heart,” she said.

Retired Superintendent of Police Bobette Morgan-Simpson receives a plaque of appreciation from mayor of St Mary Councillor Fitzroy Wilson. The outgoing commanding officer will be among those honoured during a civic service as St Mary Municipal Corporation marks Heroes’ Week.