Michael: "This camera should show the interaction from the reception desk's perspective."
Darius: "And the hallway camera?"
Michael: "It provides a wider angle. It should capture the officer's movements and the position of everyone nearby."
Darius: "Good. I want both recordings reviewed independently."
Robert looked concerned.
Robert: "We should be careful about drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete."
Darius: "Agreed. That's why we're preserving the evidence and collecting independent statements."
Robert nodded.
Darius: "But we should not pretend that we don't know what happened. I was standing there. I experienced it. The recordings will provide another account, and the witnesses will provide theirs."
A few minutes later, Captain Brooks returned.
Captain Brooks: "Chief, Ms. Mitchell has completed her initial statement. She confirmed that she received the appointment notification yesterday. She also says she tried to explain that you were expected, but Officer Ward interrupted her."
Darius: "Did she say why she didn't intervene further?"
Captain Brooks: "She said Ward was responsible for security at the entrance and that she was unsure whether challenging him would make the situation worse."
Darius looked down at the table.
Darius: "Bring her in when she's ready. I want to hear her account directly, but make sure she knows she is not being questioned as a suspect."
Captain Brooks: "Of course."
Robert glanced toward the glass wall.
Robert: "There may be other employees who witnessed the incident but are reluctant to speak."
Darius: "Then we need to make it clear that retaliation will not be tolerated."
Michael: "I'll issue a written instruction to all department supervisors."
Darius: "Make it specific. No employee should be threatened, reassigned, or treated unfairly for providing an honest account of what they witnessed."
Michael began drafting the instruction.
Outside, the department's morning briefing had been delayed. Officers gathered near the briefing room, exchanging quiet comments. Some had already heard that the man who had been struck in the lobby was the incoming police chief. Others had heard that security footage had been secured and that senior leadership was conducting an investigation.
Ethan stood near the back of the room, keeping his eyes on the floor.
A veteran officer named Raymond Collins approached him.
Collins: "Ward, what exactly happened out there?"
Ethan: "Nothing you need to worry about."
Collins: "I saw the commotion. That's not what I asked."
Ethan gave him a sharp look.
Ethan: "I handled it."
Collins: "You handled it by hitting someone in the department lobby?"
Ethan stepped closer.
Ethan: "Watch what you say."
Collins did not move.
Collins: "I've worked here for twenty years. I've seen people make mistakes, and I've seen people try to cover them up. Don't make this worse."
Ethan turned away.
At that moment, Captain Brooks entered the briefing room.
Captain Brooks: "Everyone, listen up."
The conversations stopped.
Captain Brooks: "Effective immediately, all personnel are required to cooperate with the review of this morning's incident. Any employee who witnessed the interaction may be contacted for a statement. All relevant records and recordings are to be preserved."
She paused and looked across the room.
Captain Brooks: "No one is to discuss witness accounts, influence statements, or interfere with the investigation. Any attempt to do so will be reported directly to the executive command."
Ethan stared at her.
Captain Brooks: "That instruction applies to every rank in this department."
She left the room without answering the questions that began to rise among the officers.
Back in the conference room, Darius had moved to the head of the table. A large screen displayed the department's organizational structure, including the units responsible for internal investigations, personnel management, and public complaints.
Darius pointed to one section.
Darius: "Who oversees complaints involving officer conduct?"
Robert: "The Professional Standards Division."
Darius: "Who supervises that division?"
Robert: "Deputy Director Frank Miller."
Darius: "How long has he held that position?"
Michael checked the organizational chart.
Michael: "Almost four years."
Darius: "I want him here this afternoon."
Robert looked up.
Robert: "Do you want to discuss today's incident with him?"
Darius: "I want to discuss the department's complaint process. Today's incident is one reason we're having that conversation, but I don't want the review limited to what happened in the lobby."
Michael closed the folder.
Michael: "I'll contact him."
Darius looked toward the hallway.
Darius: "There is another question I want answered. When a member of the public complains about an officer, who makes the decision that the complaint is credible enough to investigate?"
Robert: "It depends on the nature of the allegation."
Darius: "And when the complaint concerns an officer who has a strong reputation inside the department?"
Robert did not answer immediately.
Darius: "Does the process change?"
Robert: "It shouldn't."
Darius: "Shouldn't is not the same as doesn't."