"All right, listen up. Got some bad news for our rookies. Thanks to Detective Jenkins being placed on the Brady List, the department is tightening the rules regarding the Field Training program. Bottom line: every recruit now has to complete the "training and experience" checklist as a primary officer before they'll be allowed to take the six-month exam." Grey tells us
"You got to be kidding. I don't let my rookies be primary until the second month." Tim says
"If our recruits experience an event, it shouldn't matter if they were primary. It's not fair to them or us." I say
"I agree. But this is "cover your ass" time for the department. When the city gets sued, the first thing they look at is the officer training and experience. They've decided that experience can't just be "I was standing there, too."" Grey says
"We can't start this with the next round of recruits?" Talia asks
"The LAPD is a bureaucracy, Officer Bishop. The last thing they care about is a bunch of rookies." Grey says
"So, how do we know how many cases we owe?" Lucy asks
"Putting your listening ears on, Officer Chen, 'cause I'm about to tell you. To complete your checklist, you still needed to be primary on an auto theft, carjacking, ethical dilemma, meth possession, a false I.D., assault on a peace officer, and damage to city property." Grey says
"That's like, seven things." Lucy says
"What about us?" I ask
"Officer West needs a high-risk crowd control, meth possession, and a carjacking." Grey says
"Piece of cake, boss." West says then seeing Greys look on his face he adds "I mean "Sir.""
"I'm afraid to ask." John asks
"So, Officer Nolan, the number of items you need on your checklist are zero. You might want to thank your training officer for making you primary starting day one. And, since we are ripping off the Band-Aid, here's the rest of the bad news. HR needs proof of completion by end of shift tomorrow. Otherwise, the recruits are extended in the program." Grey says
"Meaning we fall behind." Lucy says
"Sir, there's no way we can control what "experiences" they'll get in the next two days." Tim tells Grey
"Understood. Look, I know this is a tall order. But I believe in you. I've notified dispatch of the calls that are needed. They will funnel them to your shops if when when they come in. That's it. All right? Good luck. Be safe out there. Officer Nolan, since you're free and clear, go see Detective Wolfe. He has a job for you and Bishop." Grey says
"Yes, sir." John says
****
West has his sunglasses on and is swaggering down the hall to the port. I confront him as he loads our gear into the shop.
"New shades?" I ask
"I can hear your mockery." He says
"Then I said it right. Take 'em off." I tell him
"I'm pretty familiar with the duty manual, and nowhere does it say that I can't wear these. So if I'm not breaking any rules, why you sweatin' me?" West asks
"Take them off or eat them." I tell him
"Yes, ma'am." West says and takes them off giving me a sour look as I turn away
"7-Adam-07, assault and battery, 1501 Melrose." Dispatch said
"Oh, they got to kick that to someone else, 'cause I don't need no assault." West says
"We don't pass on calls." I tell him then talk into the radio "7-Adam-07, show us responding."
****
West and I pull up to the curb and get out; a man with facial injuries is standing outside a bar with a friend.
"My tooth is loose." Mitch says holding a tissue to his bleeding nose then says "Come on. Ugh. Hey. Officers."
"Sir, what happened?" I ask him
"This guy stomped me inside the bar 'cause I bumped into him. I said I was sorry then, bam, he did this." Mitch said
"What did he look like?" I ask him
"He's a white guy wearing a red soccer jersey. That's all I saw before I went fetal." Mitch says
"Stay here, bro. We got this." West says
I roll my eyes as I follow West into the sports bar. There's a soccer game on the screen and the place is full of white guys in red soccer jerseys, all cheering for their team.
"I'm gonna call for backup." I tell him
"Why? I can handle these guys." West says
"Okay. You're primary." I say putting my walkie talkie back in my belt
West gets up on the bar, takes the video remote, and turns off the screen. The assembled soccer fans groan and complain.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Put the bloody game back on!" One of the soccer fan yells
"Sure, after you play my game. It's called "Which one of you hooligans punched a nice man in the face?"" West asks them
"Control, send backup Code 3 for crowd control situation." I say into the radio
"Great. My partner's calling in the cavalry, which means you have one minute to make a choice. Either everyone goes to jail for 647f, drunk in public, or you hand over the guy who threw the punches and I can turn the game back on. So what's it gonna be?" West asks
The crowd yells "What are you doing?" then yells "Come on!" then they yell "Yeah!".
One fan turns to address another fan who's been standing quiet.
"Game comes first, mate." The soccer fan says
The second fan hangs his head and prepares to give himself up.
"Perfect." West says and switches the screen back on and the crowd is happy once more
"That was awesome." West says cuffing the suspect
"That was reckless." I tell him
"Come on. Bad guy's in custody, no one got hurt, and I just checked off "high-risk crowd control."" West says
"Code 4. Cancel backup." I say into the radio
****
West and I have pulled over a car while West checks it against a log.
"Jackpot. Guy's out on probation for a drug possession pinch. If he's holding, this'll give me one of the two checks I still need." West says
"If he's holding." I tell him
"Driver, turn off the engine. Reach out of the window and open the door. Step out slowly. Hands where I can see." West says on the loudspeaker and the driver gets out and so do we "Where you headed today, sir?" West asks him
"Work." Gemetti says
"Mr. Gemetti, our system says that you're on probation for drug possession. Got anything on you right now?" West asks him
"No, sir." Gemetti says
"Mind if I pat you down?" West asks
"Sure. I've been clean since the arrest four years ago." Gemetti says
"Find anything?" I ask West
"No. I'm gonna search the car. Hands on the hood. Don't move." West says
"What are you doing? This guy has zero signs of drug use. Eyes aren't dilated, no rapid speech, or loss of coordination." I tell West
"Possession does not require use. He could be on his way home right now to get high. Given his history, a search is completely within reason." West says
West spends some time systematically going through the vehicle, pulling out inside door panels, retrieving emergency kit, tools, etc. - but no contraband.
"Officer West, wrap it up." I tell him
"Bingo." West says
He holds up a small plastic zip bag which appears to be empty.
"That's not mine. I swear. I-I just bought this car two months ago. I've never even been in the back seat." Gemetti says
"Your car, your baggy. You're under arrest, Mr. Gemetti." West says
"You got to be kidding me." Gemetti says
"Officer West, this is empty." I tell him
"No, there's clearly residue. The law states if you can see it and manipulate it, it's possession." West says
"We're not booking this guy for a "lick" bag he didn't even know was there. Computer says he bought this car at an auction two months ago, and this bag looks older than you." I tell him and drop the bag on the ground and kick it away
"Hey! What-" West says but it cut off by me
"Have your boss call me. I'll tell them you were late because you were helping the LAPD on a case." I tell him handing him my card
"Thank you." Gemetti says and leaves while I walk back to the shop with West following me
"First you tell me I'm too cavalier, and then you shoot me down for being vigilant?" West asks
"I shot you down because you're being a bad cop. Look, I get what's going on. You spent a lifetime preparing to be squeaky clean, like your old man. Only now you've discovered dirt under his nails, so you're spinning out, rebelling against how you were raised. I get it. And I'm giving you room to work it out. But that never gives you an excuse to ruin a man's life over a crime he didn't commit. Try that again, and I will end your career before you even see that exam." I tell him
Me and West were at the food truck but West was with the other rookie's while I am with Tim and Talia sitting at a table a short distance from the rookie's watching them.
"The pressure's getting to them." I say
"It's getting to me. Never had a rookie make it this far and not qualify for the exam." Tim says
"Nolan's over there giving 'em a pep talk." Talia says
"How can you tell?" I ask
"'Cause he's been trying to give me one all day." Talia says
"He's right. You're gonna be fine." Tim tells her
"Well, either way, I'm off the fast track. No more making chief by 40." Talia says
"Thank God. Being brass sounds awful. I mean, it's all politics and stats. Might as well work corporate." Tim says
"All units, we have a 215 in progress. Carjacking, Beverly Drive at Oakwood." Dispatch said over the radio
"7-Adam-19, show us responding." Tim says into the radio
"7-Adam-07, show us responding for training purposes." I say into the radio
"The hell you are. Chen needs it more." Tim says
"Like hell. We're primary." I tell him
"Not if you don't get there first." Tim says and me and him scramble to get to our shops
"Boot! Get to the shop!" I yell to West getting in the shop
"Let's go, Chen!" Tim yells to Lucy
****
Both patrol cars come screeching to a halt near a crowd of onlookers.
"Police! Get out of the way!" Lucy yells
"Police! Comin' through!" West yells
"Coming through!" I yell
West and Chen reach the fallen man first; he's face down on the sidewalk. West turns him over and we see the man's bruised and bleeding face.
"Ben? Oh, my God." Chen says
****
John comes up to me and West in the waiting area.
"We gotta catch this guy. Did Ben give you a description?" John asks
"Yeah, adult male, white, maybe 5'10", neck tattoo, and nose ring." I tell him
"Yeah, we put out a BOLO on the car. So far, nothing." West says and then detective Wolfe joins us
"He would've gotten it off the street quickly, loaded it in the back of a semi. By now, it's on its way to a garage or a storage facility. And in a week, it'll be on a boat to Dubai or Japan." Wolfe says
"You stepping in?" I ask him
"Yeah. I've been hunting a high-end car ring for the last few months. Seems like their style - broad daylight, busy street." Wolfe says
"I want to help. I'm serious." John tells him
"I can see that." Wolfe tells him
"Is that a no?" John asks
"I'm sure Detective Wolfe will reach out if he needs you. Talia's waiting downstairs. She'll take you back to the station so you can clock out and come back." I tell John and he nods and heads off
"Nurse supervisor, 1-2. Nurse supervisor, 1-2." The voice says over P.A.
****
Grey is wrapping up roll call; we can see into the Briefing room.
"Chen, you still need six. West, you've got one. And, Nolan, front desk duty. All right, that's it. Be safe out there." Grey says
"Make a hole, make a hole. Coming through." Tim says
****
"Police! Show me your hands!" Wolfe yells
"Hands up! Hands up!" I yell
"Nobody move!" The first cop says
"Hands! Hands!" The second cop says
The man in the black jacket breaks and runs off toward the back of the warehouse.
"Nolan, go after him! Lopez, Jackson, with me!" Wolfe says
West and I are running for our shop. West goes around to the driver's side.
"Jackson!" I yell
"I'm driving." West says
"Fine!" I tell him
"We need to flank him. Take Broadway." Wolfe says into the radio
****
West is racing through the back streets.
"We can cut him off in the plaza." West tells me
"Wait! What are you doing?!" I ask him
West is about to exit an alley at high speed when I spot a woman with a baby carriage about to step in front of them. I yell at West.
"Brake!" I yell
West hits the brakes just in time, scaring the woman. I got out to check on her.
"Ma'am! Are you okay?" I ask her
She's all right, but the baby is crying and West looks stunned.
****
When I get home, Angela is on a call with someone and her face became brighter than ever.
"Oh my god. Alright thank you." She says and hangs up
"Who was that?" I ask her
"That was someone who scores the tests you take to become a detective. They said I passed with flying colors and that I get to be a detective." She says with a smile
"Is there a but coming?" I ask her
"They said they would possibly transition me to another department since I told them about you becoming a detective again." She says
"Oh." I say
"Yeah but they are going to see if I can stay and work at this station after you become a detective again." She says
"Well, I am happy you are a detective but I really hope that they don't replace you into a different station. But right now I am tired and I want to go to sleep after today. Goodnight love you sis." I tell her
"Goodnight love you too." Angela says
When I get to my room I change out of my clothes and change into my pajamas and when I lay down I look at the photo on my nightstand of me and Wesley kissing under the moonlight and smile then fall asleep.