A man standing near a concrete pillar also approached.
Robert Lewis: "I recorded part of it too. I didn't see the beginning, but I saw him telling people to put their phones away."
Sergeant Carter: "We'll take your details as well."
Another woman raised her hand.
Female Bystander: "I saw the officer grab her hair. She wasn't attacking him."
Carter asked for her name and contact information.
Naomi watched as the witnesses began providing their details. She was relieved that the incident would not depend entirely on her account.
But she remained concerned about the people who had experienced similar situations without anyone nearby to record them.
Naomi Carter: "Sergeant, I want all available evidence preserved. That includes the body camera, any dash camera footage, the shopping center's security recordings, and the original witness videos."
Sergeant Carter: "We'll make the necessary requests."
Naomi Carter: "I also want the complete recordings, not just selected clips. The minutes before the physical contact are important."
Sergeant Carter: "Understood. We'll request the full time window."
Naomi Carter: "And please document who receives each piece of evidence. I want a clear record of the collection process."
Carter nodded.
Sergeant Carter: "We'll record the evidence transfers and the people responsible for handling them."
Brooks stood several feet away, listening.
He seemed increasingly uncomfortable with the conversation. His initial confidence had disappeared, replaced by the realization that several independent recordings might contradict his account.
He approached Carter.
Officer Brooks: "Sergeant, I think this has become more complicated than it needs to be."
Carter turned toward him.
Sergeant Carter: "You need to let me handle the response."
Officer Brooks: "I was just trying to maintain control."
Sergeant Carter: "Then explain the facts that required you to use force."
Officer Brooks: "She wasn't cooperating."
Sergeant Carter: "You've already told me that. What did she do physically?"
Brooks did not answer.
Sergeant Carter: "Did she strike you?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Sergeant Carter: "Did she attempt to grab your equipment?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Sergeant Carter: "Did she make a threat?"
Officer Brooks: "No."
Sergeant Carter: "Then stop describing her questions as physical resistance. Your report must distinguish between what she said and what she actually did."
Brooks looked away.
Naomi remained quiet while Carter continued speaking with the officer. She did not want to interfere with the supervisor's work, but she was determined to make sure the incident was properly recorded.
After several minutes, Carter returned with a preliminary incident form.
Sergeant Carter: "Ms. Carter, this is the initial report information. Please review it before signing."
Naomi took the document and read it carefully.
The first paragraph described the encounter as a disagreement during a police inquiry. It stated that the officer had approached a woman near a vehicle after observing suspicious activity.
Naomi stopped reading.
Naomi Carter: "This description is incomplete."
Sergeant Carter: "Which part would you like clarified?"
Naomi pointed to the summary.
Naomi Carter: "It says there was a disagreement, but it does not mention that Officer Brooks struck me and pulled my hair."
Carter examined the document.
Sergeant Carter: "This is the preliminary summary. Your detailed statement will be attached."
Naomi Carter: "Then the summary should still identify that physical force was used. Otherwise, anyone reading this later could assume it was simply a verbal argument."
Carter turned toward the officer who had prepared the report.
Sergeant Carter: "Update the summary. Record that the complainant alleges physical force was used, including a strike and a hair pull. We can identify those details as allegations pending the investigation."
The officer made the correction.
Naomi read the revised version.
It now stated that the complainant reported being struck and having her hair pulled during the encounter. It also recorded the presence of multiple witnesses and available video evidence.
Naomi signed the document.
She then returned her attention to Carter.
Naomi Carter: "I intend to submit a formal complaint. I want the investigation handled by someone who was not involved in this incident."
Sergeant Carter: "I can refer the matter to the Professional Standards Division."
Naomi Carter: "Please document that request."
Sergeant Carter: "I will."
Naomi looked toward Brooks.
Naomi Carter: "I also want to know whether he will continue performing public-facing patrol duties while the complaint is being reviewed."
Carter considered the question.
Sergeant Carter: "That decision belongs to command staff. I can report the circumstances and recommend that they assess his assignment."