Michelle almost cried, until Officer Ripley yelled at the company, “Move it people, I have all night, I have replacements for my body. Someone will always be here, and if we take all week at this, I can handle it.”
They marched, ran, marched some more, and finally filed past the table into the classroom. Sweat streaked their cabbies. Luckily the classroom was every bit as hot as the tarmac.
Chapter 20
Michelle Cadet Commander
The classroom occupied most of the building. The hallway leading to the classroom had an office with the title, “Cadre Commander,” and across the hall there was another office. It had the title of “Cadet Commander.” Michelle was instructed to bring her platoon commanders to that room after the morning instruction period.
“Commander Lumen, you have certain duties to establish with your platoon commanders. They are outlined in the manual, but for brevity, I’ll list them here. You need a guard roster, you need a charge of quarters, and you will need a list of who is in each squad and platoon for purposes of getting the duties rotated. I do not expect you or the platoon commanders to do guard, but everyone else will do so for the first eight weeks. As you may know, your duty here in the training is eight weeks. There will be the option of living in the barracks or commuting the last two weeks, provided the training progresses well. There have been classes that had to stay here. Your class will be restricted to the compound for three weeks, then a pass will be offered to those that merit a break. Your training syllabus has been established and drawn out. The physical training is done first, then firearms, then procedures for single and multiple engagement force. Finally we will do crowd control and antiterrorism training. This training starts this afternoon. Do you have any questions?” Officer Davis asked.
“Yeah,” Reyes said. “This seems pretty military to me. I did OK in the military, but I got out because I didn’t want to be dragging around marching in formation all the time. Your plan is to put out military level trainees in eight weeks. We have three of those weeks on compound. It just seems to me this is pretty aggressive.”
Officer Davis smiled and said, “Your training in the military had to make the lowest common denominator able to pass. Here you all have been selected for skill, training, demonstrated capability, and stamina. You will do fine, and you will also be surprised how well marching and drill will go. What did you do in the service, Mr. Reyes?”
“I was in logistics, and I know what we did in the service to train troops. Are you going to push this crowd to the point of busting them?” Reyes asked as he crossed his arms across his chest.
“We will observe for any members of this class that appear to have difficulties and assist in getting them through the program. Our aim is not to eliminate anyone, but we usually see ten or so go from the program every cycle. Many decide they do not like being a common cop, and go back to doing whatever it was before they came here. I want those individuals to have the opportunity to disappoint themselves early, so we do not waste time and money working with them. It seems the stress of training, marching, and working the responsibilities within the group weeds them out pretty well. Again, my job is to put someone behind the badge you can trust. Your lectures start in ten minutes. I’ll talk with you first thing in the morning. I take the first shift for charge of quarters, there will be a cadet in that capacity starting tomorrow night. Now scoot to your classes,” Davis said as he opened the door.
Michelle and her platoon commanders went to the classroom. To Michelle’s surprise, the first class was on the LAPD retirement system. Following that class were several others seemingly as remote and obscure as retirement. During the break, she found Geech sitting with his head on his hands, looking at his desk.
“Geech, you OK?”
Geech did not stir, but answered, “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just trying to figure out how many years I’ll have to work to be able to retire and be a pauper.”
Michelle sat next to him, “Hey, I’m sorry I got you into this. Looks like it will be pretty boring for some time, doesn’t it? I don’t know what we’ve gotten into, either. Seemed to be a good idea at the time, but sure doesn’t seem like we’ll be doing much except marching and stuff. Beats calibration runs, though.”
Geech turned and looked at Michelle. His smile was still there, and he said, “I can always go back to analytical. This may turn out interesting yet.”
The classes consumed most of the day. The next day was drill, exercise, and individual defense classes. This was the routine for the next few days. Cadre officers were in the compound almost constantly. They seemed busy and would not bother cadets unless something was needed.
Michelle was called out the third day and told a cadet needed to talk with her in her office. The cadet was a younger male. He seemed to be tired and distressed, pacing in her office. He was one of those guys Michelle always categorized as showy. Pretty hair, pretty talk, and pretty car. He had an intensity that made Michelle uncomfortable. Michelle walked in and sat in a chair by the door. “Hey, what can I do for you? Paul, isn’t it? Paul’s your name.”
Paul looked mildly surprised that Michelle knew his name and replied, “Yeah, that’s me. I want out of here!”
Michelle studied the request and asked, “Out of the program or out of the compound?”
“Out of this stupid cop shop. I didn’t join the cops to be treated like a boy scout. I can’t take this shit and want out. We’re supposed to be on probation for six weeks, no questions asked, and I want out.”
Michelle was puzzled and asked, “Did something in particular happen that has caused this?”
Paul continued to pace and shook his head, “No, I just don’t like those pretty boys coming around at all hours and telling me this and that, polish my shoes, clean up my bunk. None of their fucking business. Sorry lady, I shouldn’t cuss with you. Flippin’ jerks!”
“I’ll have to discuss this with Officer Davis. Can you go back to the training session, or do you want to wait in your room?” Michelle asked as she stood.
“Isn’t that cute. I’ll be in my room.” Paul said as he left the office.
Michelle called a number she used to access the paging system and asked Officer Davis to call her. He did, and came over.
“Why did he want to quit, again?” Davis asked.
“He said he’s tired of polishing his boots and being told when to go to bed. Seemed pretty uptight about it,” Michelle said.
Davis looked out the hallway and casually said, “Seems pretty early.”
“Early for what?”
Davis looked back at Michelle and paused, then continued. “Lumen, you’re a little bit older than the rest, except Reyes and that Roach guy. You’ve been in the force, as have many, but you’ve been in for five years, and I don’t expect you to leave or to have a tongue that won’t stop wagging. Let me ask a question. Why do you think you are here in this compound?”
Michelle thought for a second or two, then said, “Training. Lots of stuff to learn, best keep us at it all day, if you can.”
“Nope. We could put up an interactive Web site and give you lessons to do at home for most of this stuff. Try again,” Davis said as he sat on the corner of the desk.
Michelle looked at the worn false wood flooring for a moment, then said, “You’re looking for misfits and drunks.”
Davis laughed and said, “I could not have said it plainer if I tried. Everybody here had to pass screening labs, but that will not catch the guys or gals that are smart. Get them away from their habits, and many of the drinkers will fall apart. Three days is the start, usually we’ll have two or three that flunk the stay in the dorm test every cycle. If they are longtime LAPD employees, they will pay back the stipends and be flagged in the computer for closer screening. If they are newbies, recent hires … ”
“I know what newbies are,” Michelle said smiling.
“They will be discharged without paying back the stipend if it is before two weeks, and if it’s after two weeks,
the stipend comes out of their pay. You recall that while you’re here you are drawing pay, but two weeks behind—that’s one reason. There will be one or two that want out at midpoint. These are the dreamers that didn’t know being a cop meant dodging shit, urine, and bullets. They thought it was like the movies. That problem is actually getting worse. Old guys like you, your buddies Geech and Colin, and Reyes are very seldom problems. When you work with a group this size there will be a few that are problems. You’ve got a gay couple pairing up. You’ve got one other that I’m betting is getting too sober. The gays are OK if they keep their pants up in public, just as you would be if you were actively seeing one of the guys here, but if they start playing grab-ass with the straights, or petting in public, they are out as fast as if you started pinching butts around here. That’s what the compound is for. Would you ask Paul to pack his tuck and be ready in an hour? The other folks are on a double-header at the classroom just now, and I can get him out without a lot of fuss. Is Paul a newbie?” Davis asked as he stood.
Michelle shrugged her shoulders, “He didn’t seem like he’d had much seasoning anywhere, so I’d bet on it, but I’m not sure.”
“Doesn’t matter, phone call to personnel, and they’ll call him in next week to square things up. I shared some stuff here for another reason, and I’ll tell you. Mixie liked you immediately, and trusted you. That’s another reason you got picked as commander of the group, but don’t be mad at Mixie. How’s she doing? I can’t talk much with her while we’re going through this phase.”
Michelle smiled, “She’s had a few choice words for you and your gang, but she’s doing fine. She’s a tough little gal, though she’s wound pretty tight.”
Davis smiled and said, “Yeah, she’s wound pretty tight, that’s something. Anyone giving her flack about not doing some of the physical stuff and chemical defense training?”
“Nothing I’ve heard. Most of the gang knows nothing about it, but the ones in her platoon seem to be working real well with her, even covering for her when she’s puking.”
“I didn’t know she was puking. Boy, am I in trouble. OK, you’ll start seeing others that will be getting ragged. We’re going to step up the pace and start getting merit points up to the level of getting a pass in a couple weeks. That seems to get some of the cadets stressed. So far things are going OK. Ripley likes what he’s seeing overall, and Banfield’s getting good progress, too. Don’t be surprised that there will be some odd things happening now, though. We’re going to see if we can find any of the low-hanging fruit,” Davis said as he stepped out.
It wasn’t long before word spread that Paul was gone. Several other cadets stopped by after the evening meal. Michelle offered only that for the interest of the cadet and the LAPD, Paul Glover was no longer a cadet.
Midnight the fire alarms went off. Everybody had drilled the fire alarms, but it was still a groggy surprise. Everyone filed out, collecting blankets and whatever else they could grab. One cadet was dressed in uniform, striking Michelle as odd until she figured out it was the charge of quarters. There were uniformed cops everywhere.
The alarms silenced, and Davis stepped up to the front. “First platoon, first squad, front and center. Remaining cadets to the classroom. This is a 100 percent strip down inspection.”
Moans of disbelief went up, but three cadets were not in the company for breakfast.
Michelle asked Davis the next time she saw him. “What was that all about? Is that routine?”
“We used to inspect folks as they came on compound and found that the ones that were going to get into trouble managed to get their stuff in from some source, most common was a cook. We’ve never waited this long to do the search, and we’ve never found three cadets with contraband,” Davis answered.
“You found drugs on three cadets here?” Michelle asked in disbelief.
“We found booze in two lockers, and pot in one. Booze and pot are restricted, and we’re not a tolerant force at this point. Sorry Michelle, I couldn’t tip you on that one, but I can tip you on this one, we’re going into a special training program for crowd control. Riot control, really, and we’re a rent-a-cop service for the LAPD. World Free Trade conference in San Francisco needs three thousand extra cops next week, and we’ll provide riot control backup. I’m announcing it in the morrow. Will mean rescheduling some classes, and we’re actually able to use the San Francisco training academy for the days we’re on standby. So there is something new all the time. Your class standings on testing will be posted next week. You’ll see one or two folks chew themselves to death worried about being top gun. Some of them get to the point that they sabotage others. That’s something I want you to watch for. If you see it, let me know. Sorry about last night. We don’t usually do it more than once, but just getting it done once scares the hell out of everyone. We’re doing random drug screening on the crews after they’re in the field, you likely know that already.”
Michelle squinted at Davis and asked, “And how did you know that I already knew that?”
Davis laughed and said, “Michelle, where did you work before you came here?”
Michelle smiled, “OK, I’ve been running your piss for years, but we got two thousand samples a month. I usually didn’t look to where they came from.”
“Yeah, but you would have figured. I have to get going. Why don’t you tell the folks at evening formation that we’re going on a field trip next week? There may be some things that a few of them want to do before we go. We’re down to seventy-four cadets now, by the way.”
“I thought we started with seventy-eight. Oh yeah,” Michelle laughed as she mimed counting with her fingers.
“Later, fifteen passes this weekend, you pick who gets one. Your pass is not one of the fifteen, your pass is granted on grade.”
“What is your suggestion on giving out passes?” Michelle asked.
“I’ll bet you’ll figure it out, but since you asked, I’ll tell you how I did it. I split them to platoons, gave the ’toon leaders seven each and gave one to the dude I figured needed it the most. That dude is Ripley, and we’ve been partners ever since.”
Michelle smiled and said, “Got it. Delegate.”
“That’s it, candidate.”
Chapter 21
Pacific Rim Riots
San Francisco turned out to be a welcome diversion. Housing was in a local barracks, and training was done at a site that was spacious and pleasant, except for the traffic into and out of the airport.
The Pacific Rim World Trade Conference was well organized and protesters were kept well out of the area for any real action. The cadets were called out for backup on several occasions, and Michelle felt an odd thrill in watching news develop.
“Keep your eye on the camera guys. You’re usually pretty safe from the major crowd when they are close, but you’re not safe from the sacrificial fool,” Driscow said. “The crazy guy that wants to be filmed being taken out by the cops will try something in front of the cameras, but the general class demonstrator is happy with getting in front of the camera.”
True to his warning, a demonstrator came forward with a sign and took a stand close to the blue line. He was spitting. The riot police pulled their face shields down and waited, expecting the creep to run out of spit pretty soon. He did, but his next trick was to take a plastic water bottle with an amber fluid and spray that toward the police. Several officers broke through the blue line and closed in on the individual. This prompted the TV cameras to all turn to this new action. Several other protesters were now surrounding the three officers trying to pull the urine-squirting demonstrator back into their numbers. They, too, began anointing the officers with urine. The commander of the force called the three back into the line, but the squad of demonstrators had sensed their sound bite and swarmed.
“Front line down,” came the command. “Water cannons to the line,” the commander ordered. The blue line squatted in a delta-shaped wedge in front of the demonstrators, who all linked themselves
together as the water cannon pulled up. “Hold and maintain the line. Cannons, open if they assault the line.”
The urine throwing worked itself out and eventually the demonstrators pulled back, likely to rearm themselves with more urine bottles from the piss carriers in the crowd. They did not reform from the crowd.
“Damn,” Geech said, standing next to Michelle in the line. “I was really looking forward to seeing the cannons work. If I was in the front line, I’d really like it, to wash off the piss.”
Michelle laughed, “You would think of that, Geech.”
Geech laughed and turned to Michelle, “Shelly, I’m not sure which side I’m on, but I do know who’s signing my check.”
Michelle liked the nickname, and laughed, “Looks like you’re going to get another chance at the water cannon. Here they come again.”
The group split off the main crowd. This time they appeared carrying buckets.
“Cannons, fire at twenty feet,” the commander called into the communications system.
The protesters must not have had their tactical radios on. They got their news bite as the three cannons opened up to a roar from the crowd. The protesters fell like bowling pins. The buckets seemed to have a liquid that foamed when it fell. The news showed the water cannons spraying the crowd from a more distant angle. The news started simply with the statement that the police department resorted to the nonlethal force of water cannons to control the crowd. The camera did not get a picture of the mixture of feces and urine the demonstrators planned to throw on the police.
They returned to Los Angeles. Passes were granted and classes were resumed. One more week on compound resulted in two individuals requesting reassignment. These two said it was because of their experiences in San Francisco.
Officer Davis interviewed them with Michelle in Michelle’s office. “What was it that disturbed you so much?” he asked the two trainees.
“They really hated us,” one said. “They were throwing stuff at us, and I just do not want to live in fear of that hatred.”
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