YNs–Shoulder to Shoulder

2018

In early December, the Troopers of the state convened together, especially those of New Castle County. All of them wore their pressed blue and gold uniforms and shiny boots. They called the coffee irked water. It flowed like so many brown monsoons in mugs and cups as the other officers huddled around Superintendent Namina Norrey. Some of them armed themselves with pencils, others with styluses to show their ability to take notes. Others just looked on with a keen sense of expectation. Sleeves rolled up on blue uniforms bearing arms of might attached to bodies of brawn and busy minds.

Like a sports collective, the Delaware State Troopers broke from it and went back to their respective places in a room that looked like it could function for a dance. This was a dance of strategy, however. They spoke in hushed tones until Namina addressed the room.

“If I could have your attention please. All you need to do is focus on me and we'll make this go as smoothly as possible.”

The troopers stiffened, their backs became backboards as they looked so rigid.

“Today, we’re unveiling the new set of enhanced policing. Now, I know we largely govern the highways and byways. But we also go into homes and deal with domestic issues, too. That’s apparent. But we must consider this state’s largest city and the problem of drug money flowing through the streets. Now, as I’m sure you all know my personal feelings on the matter. I have to curb my intentions to make this city, this state, this country, this world more safe. But we have to do this now in this state that we police.”

Some murmurs went up and Namina closed her eyes and slowly batted down her hands.

“I know, I know. I felt the same way too when I realized I would have to implement these changes. I actually felt good about them, but not great. So if you would turn your attention to the whiteboard….” Namina motioned for the room to darken.

“I promise you this will not be a “Death by PowerPoint” demonstration. We’re going to be working with the WPD to address these problems.” She used a laser and pointed to a map of Southbridge, East Side, and West Side, known areas for homicides and drug trafficking.

“If you notice, we can have police presence along the perimeter of the city and in the hotbeds for nefarious activity. What we’re implementing is a radical strategy. It rivals some of the tactics carried out by General William Tecumseh Sherman. This is scorched earth people.” More murmurs and a few chuckles sounded around the room.

“We’re going to have boots on the ground in full force every single day. You’re going to see four WPD officers shoulder to shoulder, sun up to sun down and alternating every four hours. Don’t worry, there will be bonuses and time for vacation if the officers so choose. We’re not forcing anyone to be part of this detail. This is for the elite. We’ll stand with them,” Namina proclaimed.

Silence fell over the room with that last remark. Namina looked up and showed a face of quiet pride. “With these new measures implemented, we can finally break the chains of resentment from the citizens against us and champion a cause for peace and civility in our towns and in this state. I have to warn you, this next video may be very tough to watch as it is one of our own.”

Namina continued with the presentation. She played a video of a State Trooper who had been killed but the body cam captured the whole thing. Adam Westover, 26, had made a traffic arrest and the assailant wriggled out of the hold and latched on to Westover’s weapon. He shot the cop four times and drove off with vicious speed.

“This is what we don’t want. That’s why we’re committing to the Shoulder to Shoulder policy to ensure that Troopers will have the safety and security to know that they’re going to come home that evening. If neighbors know that the cops patrol the streets in Wilmington, they will be able to know that we will be safe and they will be safe. It breaks down to the immediacy of the moment. We don’t want another Trooper down so we might as well stay together on this.” The police K-9 unit leader then took to the place where she stood.

Namina left the stage and the Troopers in the room did not rise to their feet. Not out of disrespect, but because she fostered such a casual approach to policing. She retired to her office. She looked at a stress ball and squeezed it like a lemon. A back massager became her bit of refuge against the stressors of the plan she outlined.

Deputy Superintendent Venett Hospers handed Namina a cup of coffee.

“Do you think you reached them?”

She shrugged and chuckled. “I know that I made this plan on my own and that we’re going ahead with it, I don’t care who has reservations for it.”

“I see. I see.”

“This is a colossal task. We might even have to enlist more people and the state budget is going to swell. Taxes might need to rise. And everybody just loves that.”

Hospers had his own coffee. He grinned. “I think this plan should go. It’s aggressive and powerful and…”

“You’re not going to sell me on my own plan, Ven.”

“I know I’m just saying it was well received. That video of Adam really took it over the top. I think they got the message after witnessing that again for the thirtieth time. Hell, no one ever gets over it. I almost shed a tear.”

“I know. Just imagine it; there will be a cop on the hottest corners from sun up to sun down alternating one to the other. It’s been done before but not to this extent. I’m talking WPD and us together roaming the streets in droves. There’s never been anything close to that. We can set up units for special training and how to properly assess situations where we might encounter wrongheadedness.” Namina’s five foot nine inch frame leapt up from the chair she had relaxed in for a while and looked at Hospers in the face. “That’s what we can do is have the Shoulder to Shoulder plan in effect for both the neighborhoods and us. We can build a better rapport rather than the dismal relations the citizens have with the Citizens on Patrol (COP).”

“Yes, if we can finally win back the public trust, that would be a boon to all police nationwide. But we gotta start in the First State. And in Wilmington, the hot-bed for violent crime and murder.”

“Exactly!” Namina exclaimed. She felt energized again. In her mind, she saw the men and women in uniform walk up and down the block and around corners just posing a friendly reminder that all of them would be available just in case something went haywire. She sipped some coffee, it had cooled a bit but still remained strong. That’s how she felt, she had not been as fired up as she had been standing on that stage, but she had felt the might of her ideas wash over the room.

“If,” she pointed out, “we make this our solemn oath to be prepared for this, there should be no problems with the rest. We can rededicate those who sign up for the strategy and make incentives for it.”

“What about the governor?”

“What about him?” Namina mentioned, acid on her tongue.

“He hates it doesn’t he?”

“Loathes it. He thinks we’re making a mistake. He thinks we’re making a Gestapo right here in Delaware. I mean he signed off on it with his digits pinching his nose. I didn’t have to fight, but he didn’t show any signs of pleasure in having to implement this whole strategy. What I don’t understand is how he can be so obtuse. He was a cop in Newark for six years. That was on top of the eight years he spent as a major in the Air Force. He must be worried about how he’s going to look when it comes time to vote. That’s probably why he’s not allowing us to put it in motion until after 2020.”

“I can see that.”

“But I mean, come on! Whatever that man has against good citizenry and zero crime I don’t know,” Namina observed. “I think it’s ludicrous that he has to go through these changes and feel like he’s fending off being caught in a whirlwind of strife.”

Hospers sighed. “I know what you’re going to say….”

“What? Come on V! Say it!”

“You’re going to run for governor one day.”

“You do know what I’m going to say. Hell. No.”

“You’re a great cop. This experiment had its roughness but you’ve proven your doubters wrong and championed the state as the top cop, too.”

“I can’t even worry about all of that. I’ve still got people asking me about three orange giants who target mainly drug dealers. I can’t make this stuff up. There’s a faction of the populace that actually believes this. That’s what we have to fight. All most drug pushers represent is entrepreneurship. If we can acknowledge that and hone in on the business opportunities that are out here before the laws change, we’d be in good standing.”

“But you know he can revoke it at any time.”

“Let him try. I’ll throw all the statistics up in his face about places that actually offered services like this and how they succeeded. Well, we’re going to flourish. Thrive!” She whispered the last part but the exclamation still hung in the air.

“All we have to do–” Ven started.

“All we have to do is just let the whole matter breathe. Just let it breathe.”

An email popped up on her screen. It was Governor Corbitt Layson.

“We’re just sending you warm wishes during this holiday season. We know we’ve had our differences Superintendent Norrey, but that doesn’t stop us from being in this fight together. It’s one team, one fight forever! Happy Holidays!” He had been with his wife and daughter and their children. Layson dripped red and green and so did his family right beside the fireside and the golden retriever even barked on cue when the family waved and delivered the greeting.

“Goddamnit. I’m not even mad. That was actually kind of cute. I mean I can’t stand the man or most of his policies, but that was a decent gesture. What am I saying? He doesn’t want the Shoulder to Shoulder Strategy because of the dollars that will be strained. But if he would just allow private enterprise to take over and let businesses be businesses, then we wouldn’t have to worry about it.”

Then the office door swung wide open and there stood Layson with his dog in tow.

“Merry Christmas Venett!”

“Pleasure, Mr. Governor.”

“Merry Christmas, Superintendent Norrey, did you get my email?”

“As a matter of fact I did. Thank you, sir.”

“Yes, we planned all afternoon to get the right shot,” Layson admitted.

“We’re so happy to see your family healthy and together,” Namina offered.

“I don’t know…something seems to be a bit off here. I just saw a room of p’d o officers shuffling out of a conference room.

“They seemed to be content when I delivered my speech.” Namina didn’t realize it, but she was grinding her back teeth.

“No, I think they were grumbling about your little plan you're going to be rolling out in the coming years.”

“Months, Governor.”

“Months?”

“Yes, sir. I know we had agreed on the plan to move forward after––”

“After 2020.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So what changed. Deputy Hospers, what changed?”

Hospers had been standing ever since the governor walked into the room.

“Sir, I think––”

“I think we have a breakdown in what we had set out to do. If you want this in months, this could be a catastrophe for my campaign.”

“We don’t want that sir,” Namina spoke quickly as she stood. “We just want safer, cleaner streets.”

“Alright, well we can agree on that. 2020.” He pointed with two fingers at Hospers and Namina. He backed away and bellowed, “Ho, ho, ho.” And left the office.

“If I weren’t an atheist I’d pray for God to damn him.”