He had not yet been in the building for twenty minutes, and he was already receiving an impression of how decisions were normally made.
A few minutes later, the technical department confirmed that the lobby camera recordings had been secured.
Adrian requested that the original files be placed under restricted access.
He also ordered that the department's internal audit office receive a copy of the access records.
Derek was instructed to surrender his service weapon and identification temporarily pending an administrative review.
The sergeant's face tightened.
Derek Mitchell: "You're suspending me?"
Adrian Cole: "You are being placed on administrative leave while the incident is investigated."
Derek Mitchell: "Chief, that's excessive."
Adrian Cole: "You had an opportunity to act professionally. You chose not to."
Derek looked toward Vance.
The deputy chief remained silent.
That silence appeared to frustrate Derek even more.
He removed his identification card from his belt and placed it on the counter.
His movements were slow and reluctant.
Derek Mitchell: "This isn't over."
Adrian looked at him.
Adrian Cole: "You're right. It isn't."
Derek was escorted toward the administrative corridor by another officer.
As he disappeared around the corner, the atmosphere in reception remained tense.
Emily sat down again, but she could barely concentrate on her computer.
She had never seen a senior officer disciplined so quickly.
More importantly, she had never seen anyone challenge James Vance so directly.
The deputy chief approached Adrian.
James Vance: "Chief, perhaps we should move to your office. There are several things we need to discuss before the rest of the command staff arrives."
Adrian picked up his briefcase.
Adrian Cole: "Lead the way."
They walked down the main corridor.
Along the walls were framed photographs of former police chiefs, commendation certificates, and photographs from community events.
Adrian noticed that several officers looked away as he passed.
Others watched him carefully.
He did not attempt to force conversations.
He wanted to understand the department before making decisions about its future.
Vance opened the door to the chief's office.
The room was larger than Adrian expected.
A broad wooden desk stood in the center, with a leather chair behind it and two guest chairs in front. A bookcase occupied one wall, while a large window overlooked the department parking lot.
The previous chief had left behind several framed photographs and a collection of awards.
Adrian placed his briefcase on the desk.
James Vance: "I hope the office meets your expectations."
Adrian looked around.
Adrian Cole: "It's an office. I'll make it work."
Vance gave a polite smile.
James Vance: "You'll find that Bellwood has a lot of good people. We have some challenges, naturally, but every department does."
Adrian opened his briefcase.
Adrian Cole: "I reviewed the preliminary reports before arriving."
Vance's smile weakened slightly.
James Vance: "I see."
Adrian removed a folder containing financial summaries and personnel information.
Adrian Cole: "There are several issues I want to understand."
Vance sat down.
James Vance: "Of course."
Adrian opened the first document.
Adrian Cole: "The department has received twenty-three formal complaints involving excessive force during the past eighteen months."
Vance nodded.
James Vance: "Most were reviewed and closed."
Adrian Cole: "Nine involved the same group of officers."
Vance shifted slightly in his chair.
James Vance: "That can happen in a busy department."
Adrian turned another page.
Adrian Cole: "Seven complaints were withdrawn shortly after the complainants met with departmental representatives."
Vance folded his hands.
James Vance: "People sometimes reconsider their statements."
Adrian looked at him.
Adrian Cole: "Did anyone document why they reconsidered?"
Vance hesitated.
James Vance: "I'd have to check."
Adrian Cole: "Then we'll check."
He placed the document on the desk.
The next file concerned evidence management.
Several property records showed discrepancies between the items initially entered into storage and those later listed in court documentation.
Some discrepancies involved ordinary administrative errors.
Others involved evidence connected to investigations that had eventually been dismissed.
Adrian read the figures carefully.
Adrian Cole: "Why were these records amended without the original approval signatures?"
Vance leaned forward.
James Vance: "There are different procedures depending on the type of evidence."
Adrian Cole: "I'm familiar with evidence procedures."
Vance stopped speaking.
Adrian turned another page.
Adrian Cole: "This report indicates that several evidence transfers were authorized under accounts belonging to officers who were not working on those cases."