Bennett typed notes as Naomi answered.
Detective Bennett: "Thank you. We have requested the complete body camera recording and the shopping center's surveillance footage. We have also contacted the witnesses who provided their information."
Naomi Carter: "I want to make sure the recordings include the beginning of the interaction."
Detective Bennett: "That has been included in the request. We're asking for a complete time window."
Naomi Carter: "Good. I also want to know whether the officer's original report will be preserved if it is later amended."
Detective Bennett: "Yes. The original submission and any later additions will be retained in the evidence record."
Naomi Carter: "Thank you. I'll wait for the formal interview appointment."
The call ended.
Naomi placed her phone on the desk and returned to her work.
She had no intention of allowing the incident to consume her entire life. But she would follow the investigation until she understood how the department intended to address what had happened.
Meanwhile, Detective Bennett began reviewing the case file.
The first documents were straightforward: the preliminary incident report, the supervisor's notes, the witness list, and confirmation from the shopping center that the surveillance footage had been preserved.
Bennett then requested the complete body camera recording from Officer Brooks.
The file arrived that afternoon.
She opened it in the evidence review room.
The recording began with Brooks walking through the parking garage. His radio transmissions were audible, along with the ordinary background sounds of vehicles and shoppers.
Several minutes into the recording, he noticed Naomi beside the black SUV.
His voice was clear.
Officer Brooks: "Hey! You there. Step away from the vehicle."
Naomi's response followed.
Naomi Carter: "Excuse me? Are you talking to me?"
Bennett listened carefully.
The recording captured Naomi asking whether there was a problem. Brooks referred to suspicious activity but did not provide a specific explanation.
Then came his statement.
Officer Brooks: "Don't get smart with me. Just answer the questions."
Bennett paused the recording.
She looked at the transcript displayed on the screen.
Detective Bennett: "Mark that timestamp."
Evidence Technician: "Marked."
She continued watching.
Naomi asked what the concern was. Brooks ordered her to step away from the vehicle. She asked whether she was being detained.
The officer's voice became louder.
Officer Brooks: "You need to stop acting like you own this place! Hands where I can see them!"
Bennett stopped the recording again.
Detective Bennett: "I want that statement included in the transcript exactly as spoken."
Evidence Technician: "Understood."
The recording continued.
Naomi asked him to explain his instructions. Brooks moved closer. Then the camera shifted sharply as he used physical force.
Bennett watched the sequence twice.
The recording showed Naomi being struck and having her hair pulled. It also captured her immediate response.
Naomi Carter: "Get your hands off me!"
Brooks released her.
Officer Brooks: "I told you to cooperate!"
Naomi Carter: "You just hit me. What is wrong with you?"
Bennett paused the recording.
For several seconds, she remained silent.
Detective Bennett: "Preserve this section separately for the review, but retain the complete original recording."
Evidence Technician: "Already done."
Bennett continued watching.
The recording showed Naomi asking for an explanation and Brooks repeating that she should have followed his instructions.
Then Naomi reached into her handbag and presented her official credentials.
Her statement was clear.
Naomi Carter: "My name is Naomi Carter. I am a federal judge. I expect you to explain exactly what you just did."
Brooks's reaction was immediate.
Officer Brooks: "Wait... you're a federal judge?"
Bennett leaned closer to the screen.
The change in his voice was unmistakable.
Before seeing the identification, Brooks had been loud and confrontational. Afterward, his speech became hesitant and uncertain.
Detective Bennett: "Mark the identification reveal and preserve the surrounding audio."
Evidence Technician: "Done."
The recording continued.
Naomi asked why he had approached her and what suspicious activity he had observed.
Brooks struggled to provide a specific answer.
Bennett opened the initial report beside the recording.
She began comparing the officer's written description with the actual conversation.
The report referred to suspicious activity and described the subject as uncooperative. The recording, however, showed Naomi repeatedly asking for an explanation.
Bennett made a note to examine the meaning of the word "uncooperative" in the context of the encounter.
She then opened the shopping center's surveillance footage.
The first camera showed Naomi beside the SUV before Brooks approached.