It was an assault under the color of law driven by explicit racial profiling and a complete disregard for the constitution your officers are sworn to uphold. Mitchell swallowed hard looking physically ill. Yes, your honor. You are absolutely correct. I assure you swift and decisive action will be taken.
This does not represent the values of this department. Really? Harrison asked his voice dripping with polite razor-sharp skepticism. He gestured toward the frightened patrolman standing by the cruiser. Because officer Miller seemed remarkably confident that his actions were standard operating procedure.
He seemed entirely comfortable fabricating municipal code violations. He seemed quite accustomed to weaponizing his badge to intimidate citizens he deemed unworthy of this neighborhood. And based on the glowing endorsement he just received from the neighbor across the street, this is a heavily reinforced behavior. Chief Mitchell whipped his head around to glare at Miller. If looks could incinerate Derek, Miller would have been reduced to a pile of ash on the pavement.
Miller! Mitchell snapped his voice vibrating with barely contained fury. Step forward. Miller shuffled forward his eyes cast downward refusing to make eye contact with his superior. Chief, I I thought he was a suspect.
I was protecting the neighborhood. Shut your mouth, Mitchell roared the polished political veneer shattering entirely. You do not speak unless spoken to. You detained a federal judge. You illegally attempted to tow a legally parked vehicle.
You placed handcuffs on a sitting member of the United States judiciary. "He wouldn't give me his ID." Miller whispered pathetically, a final desperate grasp at justification. "Because he was exercising his constitutional rights, you absolute." Mitchell screamed, stepping so close to Miller that the brims of their hats nearly touched.
"The rights you swore an oath to protect you have humiliated this department. You have disgraced that badge and you have personally handed the federal government a platinum-plated excuse to audit my entire command." Chief Mitchell took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to regain a sliver of composure. He turned to the two Internal Affairs detectives waiting silently by the SUVs. "Detective Carson, Detective Blake."
Mitchell ordered, his voice echoing loudly across the silent street. "Take his weapon. Take his badge. Take his radio. Officer Miller is suspended immediately without pay pending a full criminal and administrative review.