I could never be described as a religious person.  Oh, I believe in God but my position in the cue at Heaven’s Gate is probably near the end of the line.  Years ago, I figured I was probably not good enough for Heaven; not bad enough for Hell; but I was probably a shoo-in for Purgatory.  It was the middle ground and given my character, the Purgatory Afterlife Resort seemed like a good fit for me.  These days, Purgatory does not get much attention.  Apparently, the word Purgatory it is not even mentioned in the Bible which does not disprove it, but it does not do much to bolster your confidence in its existence.  Perhaps with all the cutbacks in recent years, it may have been discontinued.  If someone can enlighten me on this issue it would be appreciated otherwise, a note to those of you at the back of the line.  The gloves are off!

I had lots of religious experiences in my youth, but I never realized its deep-seated influence until I began policing in Newfoundland (later to become Newfoundland and Labrador).  In many outport communities, the church, regardless of what denomination, plays a significant role in the everyday lives of the people who live there.  Sometimes as a police officer you get to see just how significant that influence is. 

One of the first things you learn as a police officer is that your job is a search for the truth.  A noble ideal indeed!  Right up there with, ‘The truth is out there’ on the X-Files TV show (I might be testing memories here).  You soon get brought down to earth when you find that not everyone wants to tell the truth, especially when there is a possibility they might get charged with a criminal offence.  Lying, you discover, is not a lost art.  In fact, it is very much alive and thriving, at least in the police world. 

It was 1974 and I was stationed in St. Lawrence, my first posting.  We received a call of a break and enter at a local business in Lawn.  I attended the scene with the senior member.  Soon after our arrival we came up with a suspect for the offence.  I do not remember who he was so I will reference him as Johnny.  We did not have much to go on, but we picked Johnny up anyway.   It was denial all the way as soon as he got in the police car.  Johnny had not done overly well with his education but in the school of lying he was an ‘A’ student. 

I was just out of training so to say that I was inexperienced at interviewing, would be kind.  I soon got into a heated, ‘You did it.’  ‘No, I didn’t.’ argument with Johnny but my partner was not concerned.  Perhaps it was that he had a good deal more service that me, I do not know.  He just drove on, content to let me do my broken record interrogation.  Suddenly, the car came to stop.  He put the gear shift in park.

I looked around to see we were parked on the empty parking lot of the Roman Catholic church.  ‘What is he doing?’ I thought as he spoke,

“Johnny, I’m going to ask you once and I want the truth.  Did you break into that store?

Johnny hesitated.  He looked around at his surroundings.  I noticed an obvious discomfort on his face.  His forehead and his upper lip were beading with sweat as he grasped his hands.  He stammered,

“I…I…”  Gone was the earlier confidence in his voice.

My partner shifted slightly in his seat and said firmly,

“Johnny?”

Johnny looked at the square jawed Mountie and then looked out the window.

“Alright, I did it.  I’m the one you want.”  He hung his head and stared at the floor. 

Utter amazement flooded over me.  This captain of liars was incapable of lying close to hallowed ground.  We could drive the police car back and forth over the boundary line of the church and the street and see the difference.  ‘Yes, I did it.  No, I didn’t.’ would be the responses depending, where you were when you asked the question.  I had visions of building an interview room on the church parking lot and opening old files to clear them.  ‘Did you do it?  Yes, I did.  Next.’  Our clearance rate would go through the roof.

I never tried this type of interview after this incident as I soon became aware it does not work with most people.  I was disappointed over this piece of information, but it was probably for the best.  The easy way is not always the best way.  Truth is difficult to obtain and maybe it is better if it comes out on its own.  I guess confessions on the church parking lot should be left up to the ‘Boss”.