Naomi Carter: "I understand. I'm not asking you to make a decision outside your authority. I'm asking that the seriousness of the incident be considered."
Sergeant Carter: "I'll include that in my report."
Brooks suddenly spoke.
Officer Brooks: "Are you trying to get me fired?"
Naomi turned toward him.
Naomi Carter: "I'm asking for an investigation. What happens after that depends on the evidence and the department's procedures."
Officer Brooks: "You know how much trouble this could cause me?"
Naomi Carter: "You should have thought about the consequences before putting your hands on someone who wasn't threatening you."
Officer Brooks: "I didn't know who you were."
Naomi Carter: "And you should not have needed to know."
Carter stepped between them.
Sergeant Carter: "Officer Brooks, that's enough. Do not continue discussing the incident with the complainant."
Brooks stepped back.
The security employee returned a few minutes later.
Security Officer: "I've spoken with the control room. They've identified the cameras covering this area and flagged the relevant footage for preservation."
Naomi Carter: "Can I have written confirmation?"
Security Officer: "The control room manager can provide a confirmation record. I'll request it."
Naomi Carter: "Thank you. Please make sure the cameras covering the pedestrian walkway and entrance ramp are included as well."
Security Officer: "I'll add those to the request."
Carter collected the witness information and confirmed that the department would contact them about formal statements.
By then, the parking garage had gradually returned to its normal rhythm. Shoppers continued moving toward the elevators, vehicles entered and exited, and the crowd surrounding Naomi's SUV began to disperse.
But the investigation had only just begun.
Before leaving, Naomi took several photographs of the fallen shopping bag, the position of her vehicle, and the area where the confrontation had occurred. She saved the photographs with the time and date.
She then sat inside her SUV and opened the notes application on her phone.
She wrote down everything she could remember.
The time Brooks approached.
The first instruction he gave.
The questions she asked.
The exact words she remembered.
The physical contact.
The names of the witnesses.
The supervisor's arrival.
She also recorded the officer's full name and badge number.
She knew that details could become less clear with time. A careful written account would help her maintain an accurate record.
After saving the notes, she sent a copy to her personal legal office.
Her afternoon plans had been disrupted, but she still had one important task to complete.
She wanted to make sure that the complaint was formally registered.
The following morning, Naomi received an email from the department's Professional Standards Division. It confirmed that her complaint had been entered into the system and included an official reference number.
The message also explained how she could submit additional evidence and request updates about the investigation.
Naomi read it carefully before replying.
She attached the photographs she had taken, provided the witness contact information, and confirmed that she was willing to attend a formal interview.
Later that morning, her phone rang.
The caller identified herself as Detective Laura Bennett, an investigator assigned to the case.
Detective Bennett: "Good morning, Ms. Carter. I'm Detective Laura Bennett from the Professional Standards Division. I'm contacting you about the complaint you submitted yesterday."
Naomi Carter: "Good morning, Detective. Thank you for calling."
Detective Bennett: "I've reviewed the preliminary report and the evidence preservation request. I wanted to confirm a few details before arranging a formal interview."
Naomi Carter: "Of course."
Detective Bennett: "First, can you confirm that the officer approached you while you were loading shopping bags into your vehicle?"
Naomi Carter: "Yes. I was placing the final bags inside the trunk. I had not spoken to anyone before he approached me."
Detective Bennett: "Did he explain why he wanted to speak with you?"
Naomi Carter: "He referred to suspicious activity, but he never identified a specific report or explained what he believed I had done."
Detective Bennett: "Did he ask you for identification before using force?"
Naomi Carter: "No. He ordered me to put my hands on the vehicle. When I asked why, he became more aggressive."
Detective Bennett: "And the physical contact occurred after that exchange?"
Naomi Carter: "Yes. He struck me and pulled my hair backward."
Detective Bennett: "Did you attempt to strike him?"
Naomi Carter: "No."
Detective Bennett: "Did you make any threats?"
Naomi Carter: "No. I repeatedly asked him to explain the reason for his actions."