The real life of an American police officer: Winning over others with virtue

Chapter 241 Send Away
They didn't have to wait long before Eric peeked out from the other side.

In his eyes, Eric was still the same as before, just as he had been two years ago.

Two years as a police officer have actually made him more composed and at ease, and he handles every move with ease.

“Welcome home, guys,” Will and the others said with a smile.

-

"I'm leaving, Eric. See you later."

Upon hearing the voice, Eric waved his hand, indicating, "OK! See you later."

After watching Will and the others leave, Eric calmly began to tidy up.

He took off his personal clothes, then took the bulletproof vest he paid for and put it on, and then picked up his patrol uniform.

Although the uniform has new shoulder insignia, they are still blank and there is no information to identify him as a Level 3 police officer; only the size and format are slightly different.

To have a clearly visible identification on your shoulder insignia, you need to become a senior police officer (Police Officer III+1) like Ray and Will.

This will add a silver horizontal bar to what was originally a blank epaulette.

After all, a senior police officer is an expert level that requires passing an assessment, which is higher than that of a regular Level III police officer. They have some additional allowances and responsibilities.

However, it does not fall under the command position.

They still have to perform patrol duties just like regular police officers.

However, for veteran officers like Ray and Will, the most important responsibility is to have a probationary officer who has just graduated from the police academy in the car.

Otherwise, in most cases, they patrol alone.

Solo patrols are the default and primary mode of operation for the LAPD and most police departments across the United States.

This is because Los Angeles is a vast area with relatively limited police resources, and a single person in a car can maximize the coverage area of ​​the patrol.

Moreover, they have a great deal of autonomy, and can decide for themselves where to patrol, without being tied to a radio to handle ordinary emergency calls one after another, such as noise complaints or petty theft cases.

This shows just how special Eric's situation is.

Within two years, he was able to exceed the minimum three-year service requirement and be promoted to the rank of third-level police officer.

Even after being dismissed, he can still train new recruits (FTO) as a second-level police officer, and can even patrol alone.

“It’s been a long time.” Eric stroked the police uniform in his hand, then put it on.

As always, I packed all the equipment in the wardrobe one by one.

Duty belts, magazine pouches, extendable batons, handcuffs, tactical flashlights, walkie-talkies, first aid kits, pepper spray, spare equipment bags, etc.

There were many items, and they were quite heavy.

A standard patrol setup typically weighs between 45 and 55 pounds (20 to 25 kilograms), equivalent to carrying a seven or eight-year-old child.

This is also the main reason why many patrol officers begin to slow down after sprinting a certain distance.

But Eric didn't seem to feel the weight; he valued that the equipment shouldn't affect the fluidity of his movements.

Eric stretched to make sure there were no other problems, then closed the closet door and walked slowly towards the door to attend the daily morning meeting in the patrol briefing room.

------

"Eric."

"Hey buddy, you're here."

"."

Upon entering the patrol briefing room, a fist bump and a round of pleasantries are inevitable.

The patrol officers present were quite enthusiastic about Eric. Of course, it wasn't that exaggerated; his leave was actually less than a month long.

Eric always takes paid leave, and everyone is used to him disappearing from time to time and then returning after a long time.

Now, I'm even more surprised that Eric was promoted to a third-level police officer without anyone noticing.

"Our big star is back."

The original rookies will sit in the first row of the patrol briefing room until a new rookie joins.

Darren was originally in charge of Lucy, who was sitting next to Annie. Now that Annie has left, her seat has been taken by Jonah, who was in charge of Will.

Lucy glared at Jonah, who had touched her arm.

Jonah coughed lightly and sat up obediently.

Seeing this, Lucy turned around and glanced at Eric, who was chatting with a large group of veteran police officers. He was still as handsome as ever and stood out in the crowd.

As if remembering something, Lucy's expression became complicated, and she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Silly girl.

-

Eric sat back in his reserved window seat and glanced instinctively at the first row.

Indeed, the rookie Annie was nowhere to be seen.

"It seems a little strange," Eric thought to himself.

“Hey buddy, are you still going to patrol alone?” Weston, leaning against the wall with his left hand on his desk, asked.

Eric crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, saying, "I guess so?"

Will, sitting on the left, chimed in, "Daves didn't tell you anything?"

Eric said, "No."

"Looks like you'll be patrolling alone again." Will and Darren, who was sitting in front of him, exchanged a glance.

"See? He's 'sent' another one away. I knew it would happen," Darren said cheerfully.

"What do you mean? Did I send someone away again?" Eric said irritably.

"I'm so conscientious and responsible that I can say no one is more responsible than me."

“Hehe.” Darren chuckled and began to recount history: “Let me count, there are seven in total, including Mitt and Collins, plus our new West Canyon Police Department’s newest policewoman, Annie, making it eight.”

Darren's words left Eric speechless. In the entire West Canyon Police Department, no, in the entire Los Angeles Police Department, there weren't many people who could send away eight partners, including rookies.

"Wait, what's with this 'newly recruited policewoman' thing?"

Will calmly replied, "It's not surprising. It's been known for a long time that Officer Annie is so beautiful. After she left, many people thought that you, this jinx, had driven their police beauty away."

Upon hearing this, Eric immediately understood; it was nothing more than the usual stale story of a man pursuing a woman. He sneered and glanced around the briefing room:

"Whatever, let them say it to me if they dare. If they're not convinced, let's go to the boxing ring down there and have a go."

The group exchanged glances, shrugged, and realized there was no point in saying this. Who would be crazy enough to say something like this in front of you?
When this guy first arrived, he seemed innocent and harmless. But every day he would ask someone to go to the underground boxing ring to fight. At first, he couldn't beat anyone, but from some unknown day onwards, he became invincible throughout the entire West Canyon Police Department.

Even Will was no match for him.

Darren, Weston, and several veteran officers around them, including Will, all looked grim.

Recalling that time, Will still felt a lingering pain in his jaw and abdomen, and couldn't help but give Eric the international hand gesture.

"Damn it, you're the most ruthless to me!"

(End of this chapter)