Rachel nodded slowly.
Marcus continued.
โOne doesn't replace the other.โ
For a moment, the studio became quiet.
Then she asked the question everybody wanted answered.
โWhat did you feel when your mother shouted that you were the new chief?โ
Marcus looked down.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then smiled sadly.
โRelief.โ
Rachel nodded.
Then he continued.
โAnd shame.โ
She frowned.
โShame?โ
Marcus took a breath.
โNot shame because I'd done something wrong.โ
He looked toward her.
โShame that the situation changed so quickly once the officer learned I had a title.โ
For a moment, Rachel remained silent.
Then Marcus leaned forward.
โIf the next person standing in that yard is a mechanic, a teacher, a delivery driver, or a student, I want the officer to treat that person according to the law.โ
He paused.
โNot according to how powerful their family might be.โ
The journalist nodded.
Then asked.
โIs that why you accepted this job?โ
Marcus considered the question.
He thought about his father.
His mother.
The neighborhood.
And the years he spent investigating complaints from people who felt they were never heard.
Then he answered.
โIt's why I believe the job matters.โ
Not everyone in Redbrook welcomed Marcus's approach.
Some officers believed the new chief was unfairly scrutinizing the department because of a personal experience.
Others thought he should have supported Mallory publicly until the investigation ended.
A few accused him of pursuing political approval at the expense of officers who faced real danger.
Marcus listened to those concerns.
He understood that police work could be difficult.
Officers sometimes approached genuinely dangerous situations with incomplete information.
They made decisions under pressure.
And they deserved training, equipment, support, and fair procedures.
But he rejected the idea that those realities excused unnecessary force.
At his first full command meeting, he addressed the issue directly.
โI know some of you are wondering whether I came here to punish this department.โ
The room was quiet.
Marcus continued.
โI didn't.โ
Several officers exchanged glances.
He leaned forward.
โI came because I believe this city deserves a police department that officers can be proud to serve and residents can trust.โ