Work Text:
Who's Job Now?
by JustJeanette
Simon Banks liked routine, or at least as much routine as you could
expect when you ran a department like Major Crimes in the geo-criminal
centre that was Cascade. Simon routinely arrived before his Detectives,
read over the weekend callouts and started the day with the first of
many cups of very good quality coffee; routinely. This morning he hadn't
had his first coffee, he hadn't had a chance to read the weekend call
out, no, this morning he'd been summoned to Police Chief Warren's Office
before he'd even made it to his own office. Somewhat at a loss for the
sudden summons, what with Sandburg and Ellison being tied up at a
Community and Media Relations seminar last week meaning there was no
need for any fast talking to 'explain' just how arrest A, B and C were
made. "Oh, Hell," Simon nearly bit the cigar (unlit) in half as he had a
sudden premonition about the reason his presence was required.
"Chief Warren will see you now," Michelle, Chief Warren's PA and as
competent at her job as Simon's PA Rhonda was at hers, smiled as she
place the handset back in its cradle.
Feeling like the prisoner about to face the hangman Simon walked, head
held high, to meet his doom.
"Simon," Chief Warren looked like he was trying very hard to maintain
control of his temper; at least if the red tinge creeping up his
bull-like neck was any indication, "I have had two very serious
complaints made about your department."
Simon blinked; that wasn't what he was expecting.
"Yes, two complaints, both made by Heidi Schlesser from Media Relations."
Simon blinked again, on second thoughts it was just what he'd been
expecting.
"Sir?" Simon commented after a moment; Simon was well aware of the value
of using as few words as possible, something he was hoping to one day
teach Detective Blair Sandburg, second class, provided he was still
alive after Simon dealt with him and his partner in Crime, Detective
James Joseph Ellison; that Simon was currently considering (justifiable)
homicide was not apparent from his demeanour or expression but two
Detectives were living on borrowed time.
"Yes, well apparently Sgt. Schlesser failed to learn anything from the
debacle that was the introductory survey." A close look at Chief
Warren's face might now have clued the casual observer into the fact
Chief Warren wasn't actually in any danger of losing his temper, what he
was in danger of was losing his composure. "Here, Simon, read these."
& & & & & & & & &
Community and Media Relations, an open dialogue. Participant Survey.
The Community and Media Relations department embraces the principles of
continuous improvement. All seminar participants are invited to complete
the following survey about the education seminar program(s) they have
participated in. Answers provided will be used to assist in tailoring
future courses to meet the growing needs of the Cascade PD particularly
dealing with media and Community Groups. The members of Cascade PD
involved in the provision of ongoing training take issues of quality and
efficacy seriously and welcome any and all feedback.
*Name*
* *Blair Sandburg.
*Rank*
* *Detective, Second Class, Major Crimes.
*Course Attended*
* *Community and Media Relations, an open dialogue
*Was this a required course?*
* *Yes
*What were your reasons for taking this course?*
* *Firstly, what part of required course do you not understand? I was
required to attend this course as part of the Cascade PD's policy of
continuing education and training. Further, under the provisions of full
disclosure it would appear that the course facilitator believed that my
partner and I were the lesser of two evils.
*I have a stronger interest in this subject because of this course.*
* *Actually I already had a strong interest in this subject because I am
a short, Jewish, neo-hippy, witch-doctor-punk (see, I didn't forget,
Jim) with a very high IQ who has been on the receiving end of
jack-booted entrenched attitude of the average Police Officer since I
was in diapers. I would suggest that the facilitators actually talk to
members of the general community before they engage in advising members
of the Cascade PD on ways of effectively communicating with the Community.
*I would recommend this course to other students.*
* *I believe that all members of the Cascade PD would benefit from a
suitable tailored course on interacting appropriately with Community
groups and the Media. However, as the needs of Community groups are
different from the needs of the Media I believe that this subject would
be better serviced by being split into two separate courses.
*The instructor is knowledgeable about the topics presented in the course*
* *I would expect that the Cascade PD would only employ people who are
sufficiently knowledgeable about the material they are present.
*The instructor treats students respectfully*
* *I'm not sure how requiring my partner and I to sit at the back of the
room could be seen as treating us (the students) respectfully. We
arrived early and there was plenty of seating closer to the front.
*The instructor makes students feel comfortable about asking questions*
* *I was very comfortable about asking questions. I think that is
because having survived defending a doctoral thesis I find answering
questions a natural state. However, I'm not sure why my questions
weren't generally addressed.
*The instructor's use of technology enhanced learning in the classroom.*
* *The use of technology in a teaching environment has come a long way
since the advent of the power-point slide. Unfortunately the focus on
developing a visually stunning presentation takes the focus away from
the subject matter. I would like the facilitators to consider that the
use of certain visual stimuli can induce epileptic fits in some people.
*Please describe what you liked most about this course.*
* *The opportunity to interact with my peers in a setting devoted to
positive interactions with the Community we protect and serve.
*Please describe what you liked least about this course.*
* *The missed opportunities to engage in a serious debate about the
various ways in which police officers are required to interact with the
Community and the Media.
*Please feel free to write here any additional comments or suggestions*
* *
None
- - - - - - - - -
*Name*
* *James Ellison
*Rank*
* *Detective, Lieutenant First-Class, Major Crimes
*Course Attended*
* *Community and Media Relations, an open dialogue
*Was this a required course?*
* *Yes
*What were your reasons for taking this course?*
* *I was ordered to.
*I have a stronger interest in this subject because of this course.*
* *No, I have Sandburg for that.
*I would recommend this course to other students.*
* *No.
*The instructor is knowledgeable about the topics presented in the course*
* *Sandburg knew more
*The instructor treats students respectfully*
* *No
*The instructor makes students feel comfortable about asking questions*
* *No
*The instructor's use of technology enhanced learning in the classroom.*
* *The use of Santana was appreciated
*Please describe what you liked most about this course.*
* *Watching Sandburg in his element. Pity the facilitator wasn't in hers.
*Please describe what you liked least about this course.*
* *Having to attend.
*Please feel free to write here any additional comments or suggestions*
* *I'd suggest getting Sandburg to take the course except I'm not giving
up my partner.
& & & & & & & & &
"You're not thinking of following Ellison's suggestion are you?" Simon
was already planning just what horrendous assignment he could dig up for
the both men; something involving sewage would be appropriate.
end