The message concerned a visitor scheduled to arrive carrying what the sender described as suspicious federal credentials.
It instructed the officer to maintain heightened attention and report any attempt to access the building without verification.
The investigator read it carefully.
There was nothing inherently improper about asking checkpoint personnel to verify credentials.
But another message had arrived approximately twenty minutes before the agent entered.
That one stated the visitor might claim a federal title to pressure employees into surrendering control of a security-sensitive package.
The investigator looked up.
"Who sent this?"
The blonde officer swallowed.
"The deputy chief."
"Did he instruct you to destroy identification?"
"No."
"Did he authorize physical force?"
"No."
"Then why did you damage the credential?"
The officer looked down.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Finally, she whispered, "I was angry."
The investigator waited.
She continued. "She walked in acting like she knew more than I did."
The investigator's expression remained neutral.
"She asked you to verify her credentials."
"I know."
"And you had a procedure for doing that?"
"Yes."
"Did you follow it?"
The officer closed her eyes.
"No."
There was a long silence.
Then the investigator asked whether the woman's clothing had influenced her judgment.
The blonde officer looked toward her attorney.
He quietly reminded her to answer truthfully if she chose to continue.
She swallowed.
"Yes."
The word hung in the room.
The investigator asked how.
The officer stared at the table.
"I didn't think someone dressed like that would be coming to a police station on federal business."