She wore a clean navy uniform.
Her body camera was properly secured.
Her expression was professional.
The commissioner smiled.
“Good morning.”
She glanced toward his briefcase.
“Are you here for an appointment?”
“Yes.”
“With whom?”
“The chief's office.”
She nodded.
“May I see your identification, please?”
The commissioner reached into his jacket.
Then paused.
For the briefest moment, he remembered another officer making the same request.
He looked toward the young woman.
She waited patiently.
Her hands remained relaxed.
Her voice was calm.
No threats.
No insults.
No assumption that the man standing in front of her was dangerous because she didn't immediately recognize him.
The commissioner removed his identification.
She examined it.
Then her eyes widened.
“Oh.”
She looked up.
“Commissioner.”
He smiled faintly.
“Yes.”
Her cheeks reddened.
“I'm sorry, sir. I didn't recognize you right away.”
He shook his head.
“No apology necessary.”
She looked relieved.
Then he added, “You did exactly what you were supposed to do.”
The officer smiled.
“Thank you, sir.”
He returned the identification to his pocket.
Then asked, “How's your assignment going?”
“Good, sir.”
“Anything you need?”
She thought for a moment.
“More shade would be nice.”
The commissioner laughed.
“That's a reasonable request.”
She smiled.
Then opened the security door for him.
He stepped toward the entrance.
But before he went inside, he noticed an elderly man approaching from the sidewalk.
The man walked slowly with a cane.
He wore a faded jacket and carried a folder filled with papers.
He stopped beside the young officer.
“Excuse me.”
She turned.
“Yes, sir?”
The older man looked nervous.
“I need to talk to somebody about a report.”
“Of course.”
He swallowed.
“I'm not sure where to go.”
The officer stepped slightly closer.
“What kind of report?”
The man hesitated.
“Something that happened during a traffic stop.”
The commissioner remained near the doorway.
The older man looked toward headquarters.
Then whispered, “I don't want to get anybody in trouble.”
The officer's expression softened.
“Sir, you're allowed to ask questions and report concerns.”
He looked surprised.
She continued.
“I can explain where to go and how the process works.”
The man nodded.
“Would you?”
“Absolutely.”
She gestured toward the reception desk.
“Come with me.”
The elderly man followed.
The commissioner watched them enter.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
Then he looked toward the plaza one last time.
A year earlier, he'd stood on that concrete surrounded by uniforms after a sergeant struck him.