NRP - Observation Tests

From Great North Road

OBSERVATION.

During a lecture on observation, that renowned pathologist from the Home Office, Professor C1. Webster addressed senior police members at Lusaka. He had three beakers of suspicious liquid before him on the lectern. With deliberate show he dipped a finger into each emphasising differing tastes of urine infected with Jaundice, liver failure and kidney disease in suspects. He placed the finger to his mouth indicating sweet, sour and very sour. The class watched in awe and then was invited to follow his example, by tasting.

With much nodding agreement the class filed past. Any questions? The professor resumed his stance at the lectern. Well, every class has a smart Alex and one chap asked, "where has the demonstration any connection with observation?". The professor raised his hand with fingers outstretched. "Simple, you should note that I dipped this forefinger but sucked the ring finger". ? Class dismissed".

Lake Bengweulu will be known to those Northerners who served up the GNR beyond the copperbelt away from the bright lights. It is an inland sea. When half way from Nsombo to Muchincl boma on Chilubi Island, eight hours trip, there is no land in sight. March, 1959, unrest on Chilubi over the controversial personal identification Chitupa led to riots and destruction of the township. The DC Isoka [Walsh] retook the island in a brave action with his boma messengers. He was speared in the shoulder. Four villagers lost their lives. I recall examining Booth's store where not an item remained of the stock. Even the bath from the boma residence had been purloined.

I arrived close behind the police mobile unit to investigate and prosecute offenders. (There were 127 arrests). Conditions were primitive, under canvas,

working at night in a net by light of a Tilly lamp. Diet of sudsa, sweet potato, kapenta and poached letchwe. I was closest NRP bod I suppose ? at Chinsali when the outbreak occurred, seconded to the PA working on Chibemba as a second native language with the DO who wrote the manual [Dennis Frost].

Pedal radio used to good effect during this exercise. We eventually moved the entire trial circus to Kasama where a SRM had been brought from Lusaka [Cronin] to officiate.

NRP Observation Tests – Nkwazi Govt. Boat.

NRP Observation Tests – Catching dinner.

NRP Observation Tests – Checking Evidence, weapons.

NRP Observation Tests – Checking Fishermen.

The photos show the government boat we christened "Nkwazi" ? Checking fishermen, catching supper, checking evidence weapons and mooring our vessel.

Wonderful days?

NRP Observation Tests – Sgt Nat Bwalya and Deb Bruce on Pedicle to Luapula.

NRP Observation Tests – Sgt Nat Bwalya and Deb Bruce on Pedicle to Luapula.

Through the pedicle to Luapula. A terrible route during the rains but passable in the dry season. '58 we used the pedicle and the ferry on a journey to Fort Rosebery and Samfya from Ndola on investigations, and Debbie came along for the trip.

My African detective sergeant Nat Bwalya, seen here, died from stab wounds a couple of months after this rural visit. Bwalya was a top operator, one of a loyal dedicated breed working faithfully in the NRP during those wonderful days.

Contributed by: Don Bruce.

January 19, 2002