Chapter 13: Earning Merit

“Mason, do you believe in God?” Jimmy asked as Mason drove the woman to the police station and locked her in the holding cell before resuming his patrol.

“No. Why do you ask?”

“That woman just now scared me. I never thought a mother could abuse her own child so cruelly, just because she suspected he was possessed by a demon.”

“Oh, was it demonic possession or a mad mother? You should get used to it—this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. You’ll definitely encounter more in the future.”

Mason pulled the car over to the roadside, got out, and took out a pack of cigarettes. He handed one to Jimmy, and the two stood by the curb smoking.

“Attention all units: a shootout has occurred at the downtown hospital. Nearby officers, please respond immediately. Repeat…”

They flicked their cigarette butts to the ground, stomped them out, then jumped into the car, turning on the siren and lights as they sped toward the hospital. Jimmy drew his baton in advance. When the car stopped at the hospital entrance, he immediately got out, unfolded the baton, and began to secure the perimeter.

Mason drew his pistol and communicated via radio as he rushed inside.

Jimmy glanced around. Eight police cars were already in position, all empty—likely the officers had moved inside. Many doctors, nurses, and patients had already evacuated, scattering outside the hospital. Jimmy couldn’t just run off; he took cover behind a pillar, keeping a close watch on the main entrance.

Aside from the occasional gunshot, the hospital was eerily quiet. After waiting for more than ten minutes without seeing anyone emerge, Jimmy grew anxious.

“Where are the security guards? Who can tell me where the back door is?” Jimmy shouted to the crowd.

“Go past your right side. There’s another exit and back door behind the building near the parking lot,” someone replied.

Following their directions, Jimmy rushed toward the back door.

Just as he arrived, the door swung open from the inside. A man in blue hospital scrubs burst out, wielding a handgun.

Jimmy’s reflexes were swift. He swung his baton horizontally, catching the man off guard and striking his right arm. The gun dropped.

Jimmy followed up with rapid baton strikes, hitting the man’s arm and legs twice each, knocking him to the ground. He handcuffed the man and dragged him to a corner against the wall. Jimmy placed the man’s handgun in an evidence bag and slipped it into his pocket.

Returning to the back door, ready to keep watch, Jimmy suddenly heard shouting from the main entrance. He ran back and saw an ambulance rushing out from the underground garage beside the front door, heading toward the hospital gate. He grabbed his radio by the police car, preparing to report, but then noticed several officers emerging from the underground passage, including Mason.

The officers hurried to their vehicles. When Mason reached the police car, Jimmy told him, “I caught one at the back door.”

Mason was surprised by the news and followed Jimmy to the back, then helped load the man into the police car.

“We won’t pursue further for now. Let the doctors come back and check this guy out first.”

“Got it. Here’s his gun.” Jimmy retrieved the evidence bag containing a black 1911. Mason took it, opened the trunk, and placed the bag inside.

“Mason, what exactly happened inside?”

“We’ll talk about it back at the station. I’ve already contacted Chief James; he should be arriving soon.”

…

When the scattered doctors and nurses returned, they conducted a basic examination of the suspect and found no fractures or bleeding. Mason took the suspect back to the station and locked him in a holding cell.

“Jimmy, come with me to see the chief.”

At the chief’s office, Jimmy reported, “The hospital’s back to normal. We caught one suspect. Two others escaped in the ambulance. We only found the ambulance; no sign of the others.”

“Have the other precincts been notified?” Chief James asked.

“Yes, sir. The suspect we caught has been brought in. Oh, and Jimmy caught him at the hospital’s back door.”

“Good. Tell me about the suspect.”

“They’re members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club. There was a car accident last night—three of them were sent to the downtown hospital. When the state police came to investigate today, they were attacked and tried to flee. After the hospital called us, we arrived, but two got away.”

“Alright, you’re dismissed.”

Mason and Jimmy left the chief’s office. Mason was heading back out on patrol, while Jimmy planned to rest. As Jimmy changed and came out, Chief James stood by his office door.

“Jimmy, come to my office for a moment.”

Jimmy entered. The chief sat on the sofa, handed him a cigarette, and they lit up as their conversation began.

“Jimmy, are you interested in working at the police station?”

“As a police officer?”

“Yes. You’ve been with the force for a while now. You should understand how things work here.”

“Chief, I have no problem being a cop, but it seems like I can’t fix the department’s problems. If I sign up now, the academy won’t start until later, and I wouldn’t graduate until at least next summer.”

“That’s not something you need to worry about. I just need an answer—yes or no.”

“Of course, I accept.”

“Okay. Tomorrow morning, find Amy and follow her instructions. And remember, don’t tell anyone anything.”

Before finishing his cigarette, the decision was made. Jimmy walked out of the station, still a bit dazed.

Standing at the station entrance with a cold wind blowing, his mind finally cleared, and he began to ponder what the chief meant.

To clarify the process of becoming a police officer in the United States: there are two entry paths. One is to apply directly to a police department; once approved, the recruit attends a six-month police academy. The other is to attend the police academy first, earn certification, then apply to a department and, once accepted, begin as a police trainee.

Regardless of the path, after joining the department, recruits undergo six months of supervised training led by an instructor, followed by six months of solo patrols. During this period, instructors secretly evaluate their performance. Only after completing all these stages does one become a full-fledged officer. This statutory process is lengthy, often causing recruits to lose heart.

Being a police officer is far more challenging than most think. The academy curriculum covers laws—federal and state—state police codes, first aid and emergency evacuation procedures, weapons handling, scenario simulations, high- and low-risk detentions, equipment use, vehicle operation, high-speed pursuits, vehicle stops, physical fitness, hand-to-hand combat, and more. These are all essential skills for real-world police work.