"Have another supervisor relieve the officer from checkpoint duty pending review."
The blonde officer's mouth fell open.
"You're removing me because of her?"
The chief looked at her.
"I'm removing you because you damaged an identification credential, used physical force, and created an incident that requires immediate investigation."
"I was doing my job!"
The agent finally spoke.
"No. You were refusing to verify documents you had the ability to check."
The officer spun toward her.
"You don't get to lecture me!"
The chief stepped between them.
"Enough."
For the first time, the blonde officer appeared uncertain.
She looked toward the chief.
"Sir, are you seriously telling me she's federal?"
The chief stared at her.
"Yes."
"But she's dressed like—"
"Finish that sentence," the agent said softly.
The officer stopped.
The agent took one deliberate step forward.
"Tell me exactly what my clothing has to do with whether I am authorized to conduct an evidence transfer."
The officer's face reddened.
"I didn't mean—"
"You told me I couldn't be a federal agent because of how I looked."
"I said your identification was suspicious."
"You didn't inspect the verification details."
"That's not true."
"You broke the card and tore the authorization before contacting anyone."
The officer glanced toward the ceiling cameras.
For the first time, her eyes lingered on them.
The agent noticed.
She said nothing more.
The chief looked toward the damaged identification.
"Can we have the credential collected and documented?"
The agent nodded.