He knew which officers could be trusted, which commanders owed him favors, and which complaints could be quietly redirected to another office.
He had expected Daniel Brooks to arrive that morning.
What he had not expected was to find the new chief standing in the lobby with a bruised face and a small amount of blood on his lip.
Vance hurried toward him.
"Chief Brooks! My goodness. What happened?"
Daniel looked at him.
"Officer Hayes assaulted me."
Vance glanced at Victor.
"Victor?"
Victor immediately began speaking.
"Deputy Chief, I thought he was someone entering without authorization. He refused to explain himself, and I believed there might be a security issue."
Daniel interrupted.
"I told him I was here to meet the department leadership."
Vance raised both hands.
"All right. Let's not make this worse than it already is."
Daniel stared at him.
"Worse?"
Vance lowered his voice.
"Chief, this is your first morning. We should be careful about how we handle an incident like this. Victor has served the department for many years. He's a capable officer, although he can sometimes be a little too aggressive."
Daniel placed his briefcase on the counter.
"Are you suggesting I ignore what happened?"
"Not at all. I'm suggesting we review the situation internally before making any formal decisions."
"Internal Affairs has already been contacted."
Vance's smile weakened.
"Perhaps we should wait until everyone has had a chance to provide a statement."
Daniel looked toward Olivia.
"Has the footage been secured?"
"Yes, Chief. The original recording is being preserved."
"Good."
Vance glanced at the reception desk.
"Let's get you upstairs. We can have the medical unit examine your face, arrange a proper welcome, and discuss this privately."
Daniel did not move.
"Deputy Chief, I want the entire command staff in the main briefing room in fifteen minutes."
Vance blinked.
"All of them?"
"Every division commander, every investigative supervisor, and every administrative director."
"Chief, we had planned a formal introduction for later this morning."
"Then we'll change the schedule."
Daniel picked up his briefcase.
"Before that meeting begins, Officer Hayes will be placed on administrative suspension pending investigation. His badge, firearm, and department access will be secured according to procedure."
Victor looked stunned.
"Chief, you're suspending me over one misunderstanding?"
Daniel turned toward him.
"You assaulted the person appointed to lead this department. More importantly, you assaulted a person who had done nothing to justify the force you used."
Victor looked toward Vance.
The deputy chief did not immediately respond.
Daniel continued.
"You will provide a formal statement. You will not contact witnesses about their statements, and you will not access or alter any related records."
Vance stepped closer.
"Chief, perhaps we should discuss the disciplinary process before issuing orders."
Daniel met his eyes.
"The process has already begun."
***
The main briefing room was located on the second floor.
It was a large space with a long conference table, several rows of chairs, and a wall-mounted screen used for operational presentations.
By 9:30 a.m., the senior command staff had assembled.
Some officers had heard what happened at reception.
Others had only received a message saying that the new chief had called an emergency meeting.
Most were uncertain about what Daniel intended to do.
James Vance sat near the far end of the table.
He looked composed, but his fingers moved repeatedly across the edge of a folder.
Daniel entered carrying his briefcase.
He wore the same black jacket and light-blue shirt he had arrived in. The swelling on his lip was visible, and a small medical dressing had been placed near the corner of his mouth.
He did not mention it.
He placed his briefcase on the table and looked around the room.
"Good morning."
Nobody answered immediately.
Daniel took the chair at the head of the table.
"I had planned to use this morning to introduce myself, outline our priorities, and discuss the department's transition."
He paused.
"That plan has changed."
Several commanders exchanged looks.
Daniel opened his briefcase and removed a folder.
"At approximately 8:50 this morning, I entered this department through the main public entrance. Before I could complete the check-in process, Officer Victor Hayes approached me, grabbed my clothing, and struck me in the face."
The room became silent.
"Officer Hayes claims that he believed I was an unauthorized visitor. The reception footage has been preserved, and witnesses have been identified."
Vance leaned forward.
"Chief, we should be careful about drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete."
Daniel looked at him.
"I have not made a final finding. I have initiated an investigation and taken precautionary administrative action."
He turned back to the room.
"That incident raised a question I want every person here to consider."
Daniel placed the folder on the table.
"If an officer believes he can physically attack someone in the public lobby without first establishing who that person is, what does that tell us about the way this department operates?"
Nobody answered.
Daniel continued.
"How many residents have entered this building and been treated the same way? How many people have been intimidated into silence? How many complaints have been dismissed because the person making them had no rank, no influence, and no one willing to defend them?"