"You're going to be riding with a new officer today.He just got out of the academy, and this is his first shift.Show him the ropes, Kepler.You've got a long line of law enforcement in your family, and I expect you're a good fit for him."
I haven't had a dedicated partner in a while, so I'm excited to meet this recruit.
"Van, come on in here," Director Drake yells into the hallway.
A kid walks in behind Director Drake, and I mean that in the literal sense.He's got that fresh-faced look recruits always have before the job wears it off of them.In fact I had it when I left the academy.You lose it too quickly, but you can get it back once you find the part of the job you love.His shoulders are too stiff in his new uniform, his boots are so clean they're practically squeaking against the tile floor.
"Officer Kepler, this is Van Whitaker."Drake claps him on the shoulder."As I said, he’s fresh out of the academy, first shift is today."
"Nice to meet you, sir."Van sticks his hand out, and I shake it, noting the firm grip.He definitely wants to make a good impression.
"My name is Darren, people call my family members by their last names in this business.We're partners today, I’m not your boss."I look him over, guessing early twenties, probably straight out of college before he decided to do something with his life that had nothing to do with the degree he got.Been there, done that."You ever do any ride-alongs before the academy?"
"No, sir.This is my first time in an actual patrol car."
Drake gives me a look that says good luck, then heads back toward his office, leaving me with a recruit who's never sat in a squad car outside of training exercises.It's not the worst thing in the world.New recruits tend to learn fast when they've got someone willing to show them instead of barking orders and expecting them to read minds.
"Alright, let's get you settled."I lead him out toward the patrol truck assigned to me."Here's the thing you need to understand before we do anything else.Everything they taught you in the academy matters, but it's not going to prepare you for half of what actually happens out here."
"That's what everyone keeps telling me."
"Because it's true."I slide behind the wheel, and he climbs in beside me, buckling up like he's still half expecting someone to grade him on it."You'll learn most of what you need on the job.Every call's different.Every person's different.The academy gives you the rules, but the street teaches you how to actually use them."
"So what am I supposed to do today?"
"All you gotta do is watch.Ask questions when you've got them.Don't freeze up if something happens, because hesitation gets people hurt faster than making the wrong call does."I pull out of the lot, heading toward the main road that cuts through town."Laurel Springs isn't exactly a crime hotspot, but we still get our share of calls.Even with Fish & Wildlife."
Van nods along seeming to actually listen as I talk.That’s rare, and I give him points for it.
We spend the first hour running through basic patrol, me pointing out landmarks, explaining the route I like to take.“Nine times out of ten,” I tell him.“I find someone back at this boat dock doing something they shouldn’t be.Five times I’ve caught people fucking, so be prepared when we turn the corner.”
He laughs.“See that a lot?”
“More than you’d think.”
"What's that?"He points toward the water as we come around the bend near the dock I was talking about, and I follow his finger to where a group of teenagers are gathered near the boat launch, coolers scattered around them.
"That," I say, slowing the truck, "is a truancy problem in progress."
"It's the middle of the day."
"Exactly."I pull into the gravel lot and put the truck in park."School's in session right now, which means every single one of those kids should be sitting in a classroom instead of drinking on the dock.Come on, let's go handle this."
Van follows my lead as we approach the group, and I watch the kids scatter into panic mode the second they spot our uniforms, a few of them fumbling to hide beer cans behind their backs like that's somehow going to fix the situation.
"Afternoon."I keep my tone easy, not trying to scare them worse than they already are, though a little fear probably wouldn't hurt any of them right now."Anyone want to tell me why you're not in class?"
I’m met with complete silence.A skinny kid with a backwards cap looks anywhere but at me, and a girl next to him is holding a can so obviously behind her leg that it might as well be sitting in plain sight.
"I'm going to need everyone to dump out whatever's in those cans and coolers."I gesture toward the water."Right now."
There's some grumbling, but they do it, one by one pouring beer into the grass while Van watches with an amused expression.I remember that feeling from my own rookie days, not quite sure whether you're supposed to be the hard-ass or the understanding one.
"How old are you?"I ask the kid in the backwards cap once the last can hits empty.
"Seventeen."
"You do realize that's not old enough to be drinking, right?Doesn't matter how old you feel."I pull out my notepad, more for effect than anything else, since I already know how this is going to play out."I need names and phone numbers for your parents.All of you."
