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November Tour of
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By Staff Writer Dennis J. McGowan
May the promise of new beginnings bring best wishes to my colleagues, contributors and readers in this and all holiday seasons throughout 2004!
Now, Dennis J, McGowan's
December TOUR OF DUTY begins ~~~
The newest (and oldest) question over the transom reads:
How do cops deal with celebrities in high-profile cases?
The fictional characters in my work advocate discretion on the job. "With kid gloves," White said. "Finances and fame give them the wherewithal to make your life miserable."
In the real world, cops employ discretion to stay alive.
The above created dialogue of a seasoned police detective might have been lifted from my last two manuscripts; Echoes of Ignorance, Untouchable Trinity or my crime mystery, False Stature.
Discretion is employing an alternative course of action to attain a specified goal. Procedures are used in all investigations, but the discretion of the police officer allows choice among the options for each case conclusion.
Law enforcement officers at any crime scene know the point is not about an individual's standing in the community. Whether victims, witness, suspect or perpetrator, the cop's business is the crime. The police officer is on the scene to enforce the law. The murders of an elderly grandmother or a young drug-addicted runaway are still homicides. Investigations have protocols and procedures; the who, what, when, where, why and how of a case.
Some cops make the choice to 'follow the book to the letter of the law,' so the fishing grandfather on the dirt road fronting his farmhouse in Upstate Forestville, USA is given a $500.00 fine for jaywalking to the old swimming hole. Another officer might drive up the same road, tip his hat to the gentlemen and ask what type of bait he was using, then proceed on his routine. Some police officers treat certain people differently for reasons known only to them. But don't be misled, discretion is always in play.
In the newspapers, we read of an actor who has been arrested for alleged DWI or DUI, possible possession of drugs and/or paraphernalia. Maybe she or he has been named in a homicide investigation? We can turn on the TV for an intense half-hour of police car chases or news brief of criminal charges attached to a local district attorney or international celebrity. Each of these suspects is to be treated the same as the butcher in the corner shop or the clerk in the local delicatessen.
The detectives assigned to the case must disregard the media blitz. They are conducting a thorough investigation, despite the reporter who jumped over the fence of the cordoned off crime scene and stepped on the casing of a .357 shell.
An incident, which comes to mind from my days as a uniformed officer, is a dispatch from the desk sergeant to see the bartender at a local gin mill.
Steering the radio car around the corner and pulling into the curb, I shook my head. To my surprise, a palomino was tied to the parking meter in front of the tavern. The horse wore only a bridle, rein and blanket across his back.
Patting the horse, I walked inside and immediately saw the problem.
"Look at this," the bartender said, pointing to a naked gentleman sitting at the end of the bar. "All my customers are walking out."
The gray-haired man was small of stature, but distinguished despite his lack of apparel. My recognition as he faced me was immediate. He was a well-known actor of stage, television and lately had more than a few blockbuster films circulating through movie theaters.
Before I could say anything, he stood up. "Officer, this bartender won't serve me."
I laughed and the barkeep scowled. "This isn't funny."
"Do you really want to press charges on 'Mr. Famous'?"
He was startled, then glanced again at his nude customer with newfound recognition.
"You got an apron back there?" I asked.
The bartender reached under the draft kegs and flipped one to me. I handed it to the movie star. "Here, put this on." When I asked for his home phone number, he gave it to me without hesitation. Reaching his daughter, she agreed to come right down. Case solved.
No harm - no punishment. Besides, it was a very, very hot summer's day.
Dennis J. McGowan
Authors! Don't hesitate. Now is the time to send your questions to ReadersRoom2@aol.com. or
www.dennisjmcgowan.com
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