Re: Brian and Mike
Mike laughed. "I'm a Navy brat born in San Diego. Of course, I love to surf, but cars? Not really that exciting, and I'm sure that driving the way you do breaks every law on the books, something that I don't do, not even before joining up. I grew up on bases, remember. We drive strictly to the speed limit." He took a sip of the beer. "And I don't drive sedans. I drive big ass black SUVs. Rentals are usually economy cars that have go zero to sixty in a few minutes. I'm really going to make you weep and admit that I don't know which one is the Lancer."
He shrugged. "Sorry, I don't meant to. I'm a profiler, you know? Differences are what define the rules, it's what gives us insights. You are different, and therefore interesting. You're also insane, but I'm used to that," he said, chuckling.
Mike sat back. "I get what you're saying. I can see the argument. Plenty of social reformers have used it through the centuries in different forms, but that's not what someone in law enforcement says. The choice is to apply for section 8, get WIC and food stamps for the kids, it's applying for benefits and letting the government put him into one of the jobs listed under Social Services. He gets five years of help, while he gets back on his feet while his children live a decent life. Or he signs up for the service and gets all the benefits for him and his family. There are options to feed those kids that don't include breaking the law. But you're right, we're not in the business of honoring or respecting criminals. We will do and say what we have to to get the bad guys. We're not in the business of showing mercy. All of that belongs to the DA or the AG and the courts. We follow the law. Plain and simple. Not that I'm expecting you to buy the argument, but that's what you get in law enforcement, which makes me wonder why you even join LAPD, because that's not your argument. As I said, profiler. I get curious, that's all, especially since it really doesn't make one lick of a difference out here."