Long Arm of the Law

This is in reference to the post, "you can't win them all", if you read it, this is the story with a happy ending or part II.
My small pond has been replaced by a sea. A huge sea with several places to fish.

When I came over to the sea, I made an effort to find the guy, who lied to me. I could not prove he was driving drunk. He bragged to others.

I found the street.
I found the house.
I found the car. It is still registered incorrectly parked next to his girlfriend's car. She is has a valid license.
I rerun my guy. (Beware the dog's book, your info goes in and is reviewed.)
He is still suspended.

I have been working for 4 weeks. I am patrolling the area and see the car. My guy is in the car. He goes about three feet and stops the car. I whip around and light him up.
-he can i see your license and insurance?
"I don't have insurance"
-are you still suspended?
"how would you know?" he turn and makes eye contact. The goatee is new, but the face is the same.
-do you remember me?
"yeah" he looks down, " i am a good guy, i got a job and i am trying to pay things off"
-yeah, i know that is the same lies you told me last time.
he ask why i came to thenew area. I resist telling him to get him.


I tow his car and scratch him $1000 worth of tickets.
I wait until I leave to smile and tell my boss, my coworkers, my wife and anyone else I can. It has made my day.

MJ

I mentioned MJ in an entry about three weeks ago. He was happy to do the ride along. MJ missed the hunt and joy.

He worked at my first department. He got shit canned about a month before I got shit canned. I don't know the whole story, but he was shafted. He was there for a year. They didn't turn his certification paperwork in and certain S. had it out for him. They fired him and then poisoning any opportunity he had to get another job, S. saw to that.

He tried to get back into LE, trying all over the state. He would test well, interview well and then they would get to background. It would always go back to poisoned pond and S. Then he would get the letter or the phone call, "sorry".

It had been almost two years. I called him over the whole time trying to help, offering advise and trying to help. MJ had good reference from the good people at the poison pond. MJ wasn't perfect, but didn't deserve what happened to him. He was a good cop. I could hear it in his voice, his spirit was sinking.

I when I found out I was going to the bigger pond. I called him let him know. I told him to talk to the Chief. I talked to the Chief. Chief took a chance on me and MJ was better than me.

I talked to the good people from the poison pond and encourage a phone call to Chief. MJ tested Tuesday. I get the text and the phone call later that day.

"I am number #1 in the testing. They are going to do the background and if I pass that I will have the job. Thanks"

MJ won't make good money. MJ won't have a big pond. But MJ will be a cop, again. MJ can prowl. It made my heart happy.


Week 2 at the new pond, loving it.

It's Hard

New place new things to learn. Some things a touch different than the way I am used to doing it
But the officers are great. I have yet to meet the jerk or assholes or malcontents.
I am having a great time and like the department.

The worst thing ... finding out thing about a co-worker from my old job.
My old pond only had the 3 officers, the chief, a clerk and a community service officer. All but one officer had been there at least 7 years.

My buddy came from the area I am now.
I could not figure why he would leave a big pond with good money for a smaller pond with less money and commuting a hour to get to work. He would not elaborate why he left. Said it had to do with his wife wanting a more peaceful job site.

It still didn't add up. He wouldn't apply when they had openings at my new pond, never giving a good reason. I thought it would be great to work with him at the new pond. He was the only person who had bad things to say about my new department (always ask about new department). I even asked a family friend who used to be an ADA in the county what the deal was and it allegedly was a beef with the DA, but nothing else.

I like this guy. Knows a lot, great amount of experience and good at the job. Sure he could be a bit of a jerk, who isn't.

I get to my new pond and start asking questions about my buddy.
Both times I have gotten the same response.
"The jerk who got the resign or you will be charged." speech
He was city, not county and there was an investigation. I still don't have all the info, but there was possible charges.
I bugs me, to think so much for a fellow officer and then to hear the negative and possible lack of integrity. I haven't talk to him since and don't know if he will respond to emails. We will see.