Every Sunday evening I played football with my friends from work, just a friendly kick about to keep fit. Afterwards I would walk back along the canal about two miles to get back home. I never saw anyone on this stretch of the canal, so was a great place to clear your mind. This Sunday after play, I followed my usual routine and started down the tow path. It was autumn so was starting to get a little dark.
After about half a mile I saw a bike coming toward me, I was a bit nervous at first being so isolated and alone, but calmed down when I saw it was a Police Officer cycling by. I smiled and nodded as he cycled past. After another couple of hundred yards, the Officer passed by again, only slower this time. Staring as he went by. He cycled round the bend and out of my vision.
After I got round the bend I could see the Officer standing at the side of the canal with his bike. As I got closer he stopped me. He said drug dealers dealt from here and asked me if I had seen anyone else. I said no but that did not deter him. He told me he was going to search me, he ordered me to stand with my hands crossed behind my head. He started patting down my sleeves, then my chest and back, then my football shorts.
He said he felt something in my football shorts and ordered me to remove them so he could check for himself. I didn't want to argue with him incase he arrested me, so I did as he said. He then wanted me to remove my shirt. I asked if I could have my shorts back first, but he refused and shouted at me to remove my shirt. I took it off, feeling nervous now, I handed him my shirt. He checked it and obviously found nothing. He threw my football kit on the ground, told me criminals hide drugs in clever places and ordered me to remove my underpants.
I was starting to tremble, he asked me if I was cold, I said no Officer. So why are you shaking he said, because I'm scared of you Officer I replied. He laughed at me and said I should be scared. He ordered me to lock my hands behind my head again, as soon as I did he pulled my underpants down and ordered me to step out of them. I was now standing in front of the Officer in just my pads, socks and football boots. I had never been so humiliated and scared by anyone before.