Regime change
Who: Jakob and open to EVERYONE!
Where: City Hall
When: Morning
"Ladies and gentlemen, fellow officers, representatives of the press," Jakob greeted from the podium he'd been ushered into by the sound of light applause, "I will keep my statements today brief, believe me when I say that I know how many other things need the time we are spending here today." He smiled curtly for the sea of cameras off in the center and down the front steps of the building, knowing his coworkers were out there in the sea of uniforms even if he couldn't spy any of them specifically.
"Our city is at a crux, a fact I have been aware of for a great deal of time now; time I have spent with the many fine officers of our department in pursuit of those who are motivated by greed. It is greed, my fellow citizens, that drives some among us to lash out," he said steadily, clean-shaven and absolutely owning the crisp new uniform he'd received with a tailor's visit that morning. "It is their greed that bring tragic headlines to the pages of the Echo each morning, that keeps our great library in ruin, that keeps so many of us in ghettos for generation after generation."
Looking out with what he felt was his finest deadpan expression, Jakob's eyes were unwavering as the cameras flashed. "As your commissioner, I will not tolerate that greed. Those who would burn our homes and businesses, prey on their neighbors, profit on suffering in any form? They had best grow smarter, and quickly." He offered a small smile, a little bow of his head at the ripple of laughter in the crowd. "My career among the city's detectives has given me knowledge of a personal sort, where my fellow officers are concerned. And I am privileged to know I have served with so many decorated men."
Jakob smiled more intently there, projecting a genuine pride as he lingered before speaking. "But I have also been given the chance to meet the newer members of our department, and the often-unsung ranks of our uniformed patrolmen. For a great deal of service, sacrifice, and dedication that I feel had gone unrecognized by my predecessor, I would like to mark my taking of office with commendations for these valorous men and women." Sam was the only detective on his list, and one of two women, but the presence it would bring her would leave her well-situated without Jakob as her partner.
"Officer Daniel McKinnon, for meritorious conduct on cases ranging from the serial murderer to the waterfront raids. Officers Dupree, Shane, Harmon, and Garrets for outstanding conduct on the serial murder investigations. Detective Samantha Tyler," he said next, smiling a bit, "For meritorious conduct and valor in the waterfront raids, as well as outstanding diligence in the case of the unidentified bodies outside of Bedlam Asylum. Dr. Forster and his staff for outstanding civilian service..."
The list went on and on for a short while, but Jakob wanted to ensure that there'd be plenty to run in the Echo. Eventually, with the last names rattled off, he smiled for the cameras one last time. "I cannot bring any guarantees that things will be better with my service in this position," he noted 'honestly', "But I can promise to make the attempt with great diligence, with honest input from my fellow officers, and with an eye on the best interests of every citizen who calls this place a home. Thank you, and if you'll excuse me, I have great amounts of work to see to."
Stepping away in a flash of photography bulbs going off, Jakob moved up the steps among the countless other cops and city officials lingering around him, making way for another speaker as he stepped back. He didn't have too long before he'd be whisked away to start setting things up, but while there was time? Why not mingle with his new employees?
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Danny couldn't help but turn from watching the crowd to look at Jakob oddly when he mentioned his name. It wasn't a terrible surprise, given what he'd said before about moving up to detective, but at the same time the man was handing out commendations. And Danny was at the top of the list. He hadn't been top of a list since his father had died. Since he'd started drinking. Frowning he watched Hollis as he finished up the speech then left the podium to slip back into the crowd of police officers. He didn't approach the other man, his new boss he supposed, but he did shift himself so that he would be in Jakob's line of sight.
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Outside news during his own event was fairly unwelcome, largely because from the sound of it? Jakob should've been told sooner. He could've touched on the body left outside of a station house in his speech, but now the opportunity was gone.
"While I'm sure your officers have done a fine job securing the scene, Captain," he was saying to another unifrmed, older man, "The fact that someone left a body on our door is one that cannot stand. Put Tyler on it, give her some uniforms to work with." Which was when he spotted Danny.
"Like McKinnon there," Jakob went on, nodding for Danny to join him. "We need to give the public names they know in as many instances as possible. He's been in the Echo more than once," he explained, leaving it at that as he waited on Danny.
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Danny hadn't heard the entire conversation, but he heard enough to know the context. The news of the body on the doorstep of the station had spread like wildfire, Though there was hope that the officers had gotten the body out of the way before the papers could come calling about it, it wasn't exactly the bright spot that he imagined Commissioner Hollis wanted for his first day. At the sound of his name and the nod he moved closer, not quite wanting to be called out like that but what could he do? He smoothed the front of his uniform as he stepped closer. His shoulder still hurt like hell but he was out of the sling and most of the mobility was back in it. "From what I hear whoever dropped off that gift did us a favor. Though it leaves the Drake fire as an open case still doesn't it?" he commented, avoiding they eyes of the other uniforms. First being called out in the fucking speech and now here. Danny could feel the envy painting a target on his back.
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"Vigilantism is never a favor, officer, and we should not welcome it from any citizen," Jakob scolded mildly, nodding all the same. "And yes, we do have leeway to investigate the Drake still, but I would prefer a solid end to this affair entirely. When you return to the station, speak with the duty sergant and round up the initial findings on the body, make sure Detective Tyler receives them. I'll make sure your captain gets word." He'd do some asking of his own, maybe even toast one of the Dons or share tea with Wu down in Chinatown. The idea was a thrill; Jakob was on their level now. It was going to be so much fun.
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Danny fought the urge to roll his eyes. He did agree with Hollis, vigilantism wasn't the way to do things, but it wasn't like they'd made headway on the case. And once Tyler had determined that the Drake fire wasn't connected, he knew full well the search for the firebug was going to fall to the wayside. Burnt up buildings weren't doing anything to help them. "It'll get taken care of sir," he said, hearing a few muffled noises behind him from fellow uniforms. "Are we hunting the vigilante as well?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
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Eric (open)
Across the wide thoroughfare of the street, away from the ceremony itself and nestled into a little row of vendor stalls, Eric watched the commotion with a little smile on his face. A new commissioner? Good. Maybe this one would have some balls.
Adjusting the strap of the heavy satchel he wore across a shoulder, Eric fluffed open a newspaper and shifted a hand free to sip from the paper cup of coffee he'd just bought.
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Ronnie had stood in the crowd, listening to the speech with a polite expression over her bucketful of skepticism. Yeah, right. She wouldn't trust the new commissioner as far as she could throw him -- and she didn't have the upper-body strength to throw far. Granted, she was a poster child of the scum that cops and politicians railed about getting off the street -- addict, criminal, whore -- so she might have been a bit biased. She hadn't remained in the crowd for the full speech, and instead started to drift away toward the vendors before the new commissioner reached his conclusion. The street vendors, one of whom sold his cheap little paintings, held more interest than the commissioner of the police force she had no intention of calling on regardless of what trouble she was in.
As she passed the vendor stalls she kept her hands shoved fully into her oversized coat. There was money there, legitimately earned, and it felt heavy and odd in her fingers as she eye the various wares and felt how easy it would be for her to just... reach out, take something, and put it in her pocket. Or smile a certain way and coax a hot dog from the balding vendor to her right. It would all be so easy; they were habits she had fallen back on so often they were instinctual now. But... she didn't need to, did she? It required effort, but she pulled her focus from how to steal or con or coax the vendors and let her gaze rest elsewhere. Anywhere. And there was a man there, with a newspaper and coffee, so she focused on him. She stepped a little closer. "The coffee any good? Or should I go two stalls over?"
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"I'd suggest a full block, two stalls'll still leave you with a cup of motor oil. Used motor oil," Eric answered with a little smirk, still reading his paper up until he heard vague protests from the guy he'd just bought the coffee from. "Oh c'mon," he insisted to the vendor, folding his paper shut, "You really trying to tell me a decent cup of coffee gets brewed outside?" Maybe in Turkey, maybe in Italy, but not in Eidolon.
But for all his protests he was still drinking, grinning more earnestly with the salesman for a moment and tucking his paper under an arm. "Of course, some of us don't mind motor oil. If it's hot and caffeinated, it'll do for me," he told Ronnie, finally giving her a good once-over with his eyes.
holddd! :)
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Alec (Open)
Alec detoured on his way to breakfast that day to watch the spectacle in front of the station. He leaned against a building, wearing his running clothes and looking just like everyone else, not the elite that he was part of. He listened to Hollis declare that things would no longer be in the hands of the mob and everything that a good politician said. He shouldn't have to doubt the man's intentions. The police were meant to take care of the people. However Alec still viewed the speech with guarded interest, his mind going over the man's words. The people seemed encouraged at least. Wasn't that what mattered?