Darius remained standing beside the window. His tie was slightly crooked, and the front of his navy suit had been pulled out of place. He adjusted his collar before turning toward the two senior officials.
Darius: "Before we discuss anything else, I want to make one thing clear. I did not come here expecting special treatment. I came here because I was scheduled to meet with the department's leadership."
Robert: "I understand, Chief. What happened in that lobby was completely unacceptable."
Darius: "Then I want to know why it happened."
Michael opened his folder and took out a printed copy of the morning's visitor schedule.
Michael: "Your appointment was confirmed three days ago. Your name was entered into the department's executive calendar, and the front desk received the notification yesterday afternoon."
Darius: "So the appointment was there."
Michael: "Yes. There should have been no confusion."
Darius looked at the document without touching it.
Darius: "Then why did Officer Ward behave as though I had no reason to be inside this building?"
Robert pulled out a chair but did not sit down immediately.
Robert: "We will establish exactly what happened. I have already instructed the duty supervisor to secure the relevant security footage."
Darius: "I want every camera recording preserved. The main entrance, reception area, hallway, elevator lobby, and any camera that captured the interaction. I don't want anything overwritten or edited."
Robert: "That instruction has already been given."
Darius: "And I want the original files preserved, not just selected clips."
Michael made a note.
Michael: "I'll have the technology unit create protected copies and document who accesses them."
Darius finally sat down.
Darius: "Good. Now tell me who Officer Ethan Ward is."
Robert exchanged a brief glance with Michael.
Robert: "Ward has been assigned to patrol and building security for nearly six years. He has worked in this department longer than some of the younger officers. His personnel record shows several commendations, but there have also been complaints."
Darius: "What kind of complaints?"
Robert opened the folder and began turning through several pages.
Robert: "There were two complaints involving inappropriate language toward members of the public. One concerned an argument during a traffic stop. Another came from a visitor who claimed Ward had treated him disrespectfully at the front entrance."
Darius: "What happened to those complaints?"
Robert hesitated.
Robert: "Both were reviewed internally. Neither resulted in formal disciplinary action."
Darius leaned back slightly.
Darius: "Were the complainants interviewed?"
Robert: "I would need to check the original investigation files."
Darius: "Were witnesses identified?"
Robert: "I can't confirm that without reviewing the records."
Darius: "And was any security footage examined?"
Robert closed the folder.
Robert: "I don't know."
For several seconds, the room was silent.
Darius looked from Robert to Michael.
Darius: "That's the problem. We have a system that records complaints, but apparently no one can tell me what was done with them. I want those files brought to this office."
Michael: "I'll request the complete records, including the original statements, review notes, and final decisions."
Darius: "Not summaries. The actual records."
Michael nodded and wrote it down.
Outside the conference room, Ethan Ward was standing near the reception desk. His expression had changed considerably since the elevator doors opened. The confidence he had displayed earlier had disappeared. He kept glancing toward the executive conference room, where the new chief was now speaking with the department's senior leadership.
A younger officer approached him.
Officer Lewis: "Ward, the supervisor wants you in his office."
Ethan looked at him.
Ethan: "For what?"
Officer Lewis: "I don't know. He just said to come immediately."
Ethan adjusted his uniform and tried to maintain a calm expression.
Ethan: "Fine."
As he walked away, two employees stopped talking. One of them had witnessed the confrontation from the reception area. The other had arrived just as the elevator opened.
Neither said anything, but their expressions made it clear that they had seen enough to understand the seriousness of the situation.
Inside the conference room, Darius was studying a printed organizational chart.
Darius: "How many officers are currently assigned to this building?"
Michael: "Including administrative and security personnel, approximately eighty."
Darius: "And how many are assigned to public-facing duties?"
Michael: "That depends on the shift, but usually between twelve and fifteen."
Darius placed the chart on the table.
Darius: "Then this is not simply about one officer. Every person who interacts with the public represents this department. If someone walks through those doors and is treated with disrespect, they don't distinguish between the individual officer and the entire organization."
Robert nodded.
Robert: "You're right."