Antoinette M. James - Behind the Badge: Her Story

BEHIND THE BADGE: HER STORY

This book is based on true events. The author has tried to recreate events, locales, and conversations from memory. To maintain anonymity, the author has changed the names of some individuals and places. Some events have been slightly altered for entertainment, and some dialogue has been recreated.

BEHIND THE BADGE: HER STORY 2021 Antoinette M. James

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be recorded, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Paperback ISBN: 978-0-578-71061-7

Published by Created Arts Enterprises

Oak Park, MI

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition May 2021

Cover Design by: Make Your Mark Publishing Solutions

Interior Layout by: Make Your Mark Publishing Solutions

Editing: Make Your Mark Publishing Solutions

Contents

I want to first acknowledge God for preparing me to write this book. I would also like to thank my grandsons, Prince, Jerald, and Eric, for encouraging Nanna with your hugs and kisses and checking in to see if I was okay. And to my husband, Anthony Robertthank you for your love, patience, support, and late-night snacks.

Writing a book about the story of my life was a surreal process, harder than I thought and more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. Thank you to my publishing team for the editorial help, keen insight, and ongoing support in bringing my story to life. It is because of your efforts and encouragement that I have a legacy to pass on to my family where one didnt exist before.

All heroes dont wear capes. Im forever grateful to my cousin Ray for your bravery and courage and for being a great officer along with all the men and women who serve and protect.

I am super excited about this book and more elated about the author. I had the pleasure of being on a podcast with the topic of domestic violence in October 2020. Due to the pandemic, everything was being done virtually. I was asked to be a part to provide my expertise on mental health. I am known as The People Expert and can be seen on Fox 2 News Detroit weekly and heard on various national platforms, helping people with people. Ms. James was a guest, sharing her story, and I was mesmerized. She was transparent, raw, and relatable. The next day, she reached out to me. She shared that there were some things Id shared that she had not even thought about before. We have developed an amazing connection.

One of the things I know is that to be a voice, you must develop your listening skills. This vessel can share and, more importantly, listen. Listening is a skill, whereas hearing is a bodily function! This book tells a story that provides the naked truth about the streets, police, and gender discrimination. Currently, in the world, we are exposed to so much pain and destruction; however, the things we do not see are so much worse. Navigating the world as a black woman has its challenges; however, add to that being extremely attractive, working undercover, and dealing with men both in the world of crime and the police world. Sadly, neither are super supportive or protective of the woman.

This story demonstrates just how difficult women, more importantly, black women have it in the world. We hear the term breaking the glass ceiling within the corporate spaces. This continues to be a major challenge, as men make up sixty-two percent of managerial roles while women make up only thirty-eight percent. Women earn less, are promoted less, and are penalized for caring for family. Breaking a blue glass ceiling is damn near impossible. Currently, out of the 100 largest cities in the U.S., only seven have African American police chiefs. So when you are female, need assistance, and only have men to turn to, too often, they stick with each other. Many do not even view the woman as someone who should be wearing the uniform.

Although the systems are vastly different from the street code to the police code, when it comes to how they treat women, there are lots of similarities! Even the church demonstrates a disregard for women. The story reveals a pastor who was soliciting a prostitute and was able to call on the mayor and police chief to sweep away the issue. So from the pimp to the politician, to the pastor, and finally the police, there is nowhere for the woman to turn.

Buckle in, get your favorite snack and beverage as you get ready to be taken on a ride that will have you biting your nails and holding your breath. I am sure that Behind the Badge, there are many stories but not quite like Her S tory !

Dr. Sabrina Jackson

The People Expert

www.sabrinajackson.com

D etroit would be the place where I journeyed to live a dream only to become the main character in a reality show, not the Preachers of Detroit but the show called Life.

In writing my journey, I would be told by the editor multiple times that I needed to go deeper dig into the crevices of my soul and pull out the stuff. Be transparent. Thats essentially what I was told. Readers want to be touched and moved by your story. You want them to imagine themselves in your world and situations that test them. Let the reader feel, see, taste, and touch.

So, there I was back at the drawing board and multiple times. It would take me multiple times to get it right, right? And I did. I believe I got it right. So thank you for taking this journey with me. It was a privilege to share my story and introduce you to my life behind the badge as well as my relationship with my daughters, who were inspirational during my growth in life. It was through them that I learned the real power of faith, hope, and love. I hope Ive given you the courage to unpack your own stories.

I resigned from the department and won my workers compensation claim. At the advice of my legal counsel, I did not take my sexual harassment claim to trial. But I still prevailed, nonetheless. Through all I have been through, God has shown me that he was preparing me all my life for such a time as this and that there is a time, season, and purpose for everything!

The people who leave an impression on my mind are not the ones I would have imagined. Theyre not your average city residents; the most resilient, inspirational individuals are teenagers, including my own daughters, who persevered and made it through one of the most pivotal moments in their lives. I extend a special thanks to all the young people at the Lansing Boys & Girls Clubs and the Safety Station. The Robert Ray Jr.s, the Dominiques, Adrians, etc. Thank you!

My story as a Detroit police officer was no accident. No chance or happenstance. It had to be God. My journey in life is not something you can make up. Its just something I had to experience so I could know. Something I could only know . It comes to you at times like a light through the tunnel to show you the way.

Out of the blue skies, a family of clouds exist the dust of Jesus feet. The picture in the sky doesnt lie. We are all here for a purposeour destiny. And God does exist. He spies with his wise eyes. He speaks so clearly with a truth so clear that peoples ears itch for a different message. And just like that, one day, God showed me that I didnt need to search for the answers because they were already within me, in both the good times and the bad times. In the tragedies and triumphs. Every experience was meant to awaken me to another level. Each moment in life contains a message, offering detailed guidance and connecting the dots.

For my three daughters, thank you for being my