“Yes, more are being hired. We have two more detectives joining, four more officers are transferring here, one Piersville resident is considering going to the academy. One of the transfers is from Australia, and I’ve got two from the UK.” Looking to the side, he mumbled, “I’ll have to tell Sadie. She’ll love this.”
“If they’re from a different country, how do they know the law here?” Mark asked, leaning over to see around Carter’s head.
“They’re just about to finish at the academy, son. They’ll be here in a couple of weeks.”
Moving in his chair, DB added, “The Brits are both from the London Metropolitan Police. I’ve met them and had the opportunity to check what they know. Trust me, they’re good to go.”
“In addition to this,” Hurst said, getting our attention back on him. “Lanceston’s S.W.A.T. team will now be working for Palmerstown and us as well. After a long meeting”—he sighed and rolled his eyes—“it’s official.
“Because we separate the towns, if Palmerstown needs their services, you’ll see their BearCat coming through with them hanging off the side. If you do, please assist them with clearing the streets if necessary.
“A majority of the time, active situations make it necessary for them to hang off the outside of the vehicle. As this will be unusual for residents, it may make them block the route the vehicle needs to go on.
“I’ve discussed it with Lanceston’s chief, and any calls that require them to drive through Piersville will be radioed through to us with confirmation if we can use sirens to clear the road, or if we need lights on their own.”
Clearing his throat, DB leaned forward and looked around the room. “Just so you know, their S.W.A.T. team is now going to cover from Lanceston to Lobato. That’s six towns, five of whom have never had this level of support for situations.
“We also have access to a fugitive team to deliver warrants, the laboratory to process evidence instead of sending it off and waiting, and a whole range of other facilities. We’re still responsible for the town and what goes on in it, but these changes have been needed for years.”
He paused and frowned down at the table he was leaning on. “I trust you guys. You know how to do your jobs, you know how to treat people, and you’re fair with zero prejudices. With new officers joining us, I now have to introduce a Duty to Report policy.”
Those of us who’d worked with this before nodded our heads.
“This means that if you see a colleague engaged in an activity that goes against the qualities of yours I’ve just listed, you have a duty to report them. I’ll make sure they know I have a zero-tolerance policy for racism and prejudice of any form, and we’ll hold de-escalation training for them. Y’all can use it to brush up on it and learn anything new that’s been devised.”
“We know it’s hard to expect you to ‘tell tales’ on your colleagues and friends—” Hurst began, but Carter stopped him by holding his hand up.
“With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, no. I’d prefer to work with people I can trust with the town’s residents and visitors.” His statement was met with murmurs of agreement around the room. “We built in a safe room for them for a reason. If an officer can’t be trusted, we’d be hypocrites having it.”
Hurst’s jaw tensed, but he nodded. “I appreciate that, guys, and I know Sheriff Bell does, too. We thought this might be the hardest part of the changes, and I’m grateful y’all are taking it all the way you are.”
His eyes cut to DB, who sat up straight in his chair.
“Okay, uniforms. No, there isn’t a change”—Hurst held his hands up in front of him when we all made irritated noises—“I swear. What we want to know is how you feel about the ones you’ve got.
“Some departments have their protective vests on under their uniform with a tactical vest on top of it, and some have what we do. How do you feel about it?”
Raising my hand, I got his attention. “As you know, I had the vest that went under my uniform and over an undershirt in Houston, so I can compare them.
“There are pros and cons for both of them. With the one that goes under your shirt, you’re protected after you take the vest off in case someone gets a wild hair and does something dumb to the station.
“It used to be that we could rely on our formal uniforms to hold everything, but tech changes, and so does what we’re issued, so that’s not the case anymore. It’s irritating, though, because you’re stuck with the vest on constantly if it’s under the tactical one, and a lot of skin conditions were happening because of it.