The Next Installment of My Novel on Cops, DA's and PAC's

I had shared with readers recently my idea for writing a novel about "Cops, DA's and PAC's"; and later also related my concept for another chapter in that novel. 

Inspiration has struck once again, and I believe I have another chapter welling up within me.  I would like to share with you a broad outline to obtain your reaction.  And once again, this account is fictional, and any resemblance to real places or events or persons is purely coincidental.

The medium-sized southern town under discussion has a reputation far and wide as being a Politically Virtuous City (PVC).  It did not earn this reputation, however, based on traditional indications of virtue-- sobriety, honesty, integrity, chastity, and the like.  Instead, its virtue was established by granting minorities a place at the table politically. 

The city's politics consisted of the adoption of poses of smug moral righteousness based on a certain vision of racial enlightenment.  In reality, however, its power structure was a very small group of community and business leaders, together with a corrupt black political machine, that jointly ruled the city.  It was an oligarchy of sorts.

After the city finds cause to throw out all the white leadership of its police department over alleged discrimination, and other alleged violations of the law, the DA refers the whole matter to the state investigative agency.  The investigation drags on for quite some time, because the agency could find little to prosecute. 

The mayor of the politically virtuous city, whom we shall call Heath, becomes concerned because the police department controversy is heating to the level of a boil, and city council elections are upcoming.  He is concerned the controversy will affect the election results, and upset the preexisting political arrangement that had been in place for a couple of decades.

The mayor calls the state attorney general, whom we shall call Toy Luper.  Luper is in charge of the state investigative agency.  The mayor tells him there were some very nefarious activities that occurred in the police department, and that justice needed to be served.  The city council elections were forthcoming, and indictments were needed as soon as possible.

Only weeks before the election, indictments are delivered against two lower-ranking officers-- not the department's command staff.  The mayor and city manager hold a widely covered news conference, and proclaim these indictments are an indication of the horrible things that were happening within the department.

Many of the black officers who had claimed victimization had been members of a statewide union composed of minority officers.  One of their buddies in that organization, whom we shall call Kerry, is employed with the state investigative agency.  The leadership of that agency makes it a point to assure Kerry is assigned to the investigation of the police department case.

Well over a year elapses.  The state attorney general's office postpones bringing the matter to trial because they do not have anything.  The political situation in the city erupts because of the controversy.  Exasperated local political leaders begin to see their world collapse around them, and know they must act.

A changing national political environment renders a sitting US Senator, whom we shall call Richard Furr, more vulnerable to a future challenge.  The opposing party begins to brainstorm regarding a possible opponent for Furr; and Attorney General Luper is prominently mentioned.

An official affiliated with the PAC, whom we shall call Earlie McAdams, speaks with Luper.  The PAC official tells Luper that everyone knew of his interest in the nomination for U.S. Senate, and that the PAC would like to be in a position to help him.  And oh, by the way, we need the police department matter brought to trial.  We need at least one conviction.

Finally, after numerous delays, one of the officers is brought to trial.  The state attorney general's top gun prosecutor, whom we shall call Slim Loman, is assigned to the case.  He is fairly well-known in the Politically Virtuous City; and his reputation is discussed in almost reverential tones.  But he ultimately had to do what Luper wanted him to do.

In due course, one of the charged officers, whose name is Flanders, is tried over a picayune, petty matter that ordinarily would never receive high level attention.  The defense attorney during the trial calls one of the new command staff of the police department to testify.  The name of the commander called to testify is Tastings.  It is revealed that, on another matter, this commander did precisely the same thing that Flanders had done.  Flanders ultimately is acquitted.

Loman had previously told the two officers that the other charges would not be brought to trial.  And those other charges are ultimately dropped.  One of the officers had been kept on unpaid leave for well over a year by the Politically Virtuous City even though he would never even be brought to trial.  Neither of the two charged officers had any incriminating statements to make about their command staff, as Luper had hoped.

And shortly after Flanders' acquittal, Luper announces he has no plans to run for U.S. Senate.

In the wake of the trial, a reporter/columnist for the local daily, who had previously gotten much of the story wrong, resurrects a side show to the controversy.  The police chief, and the officer who had been tried, are alleged to have driven a mentally ill woman from the apartment complex where the chief had lived.  But the allegation is completely debunked.

The EEOC complaint, and the lawsuit that arose from it, however, are still active.  Ren Flea is the attorney representing the group of black officers who sued the city.  But it turns out that Flea is also sued-- in connection with an unrelated real estate transaction that appears a bit shady. 

Lyin' Dames is the name of one of the black officers represented by Ren Flea in the EEOC matter.  Soon after Flanders'  trial ends, it is reported that the police department promotes officer Dames to the position of Captain.  He is promoted in spite of the fact that he was suing the city. 

There had been another attorney who had previously represented some of the black officers.  His name was Falter Bones.  Interestingly, Bones had written a letter alleging that the former city attorney seemed to be primarily interested in hurting the police chief.  Bones subsequently went to work for the DA in an adjoining city located immediately to the south-- a city which is arguably less politically virtuous. 

Comments

[Fred Gregory]

My goodness , Joe. You certainly have a vivid imagination. I guess it's a good outline but way far fetched. Nothing like that is possible in America. Just too removed from the realm of reality. On the other hand the antagonist reporter in one of your subplots sounds eerily familiar.

BTW I like the name Flea Baily for the attotney character. ( Rhen Flea )

Although as you say it doesn't resemble real persons, events or places, I would encourage you to keep working on it. There is a spark of potential lurking in the narrative you have laid out thus far.

[Ken Hill]

One of the funniest things I have read/heard this week. It is tied for funniest with the Dilbert cartoon of Wednesday 2/25/2009.

[Touch]

At first glance, I thought I was reading a pre-cursor to The Turner Diaries. Scary, isn't it?

[Cyndy Hayworth]

Joe:

This may be the beginning of a new TV series...this type of story line is very popular on all of the major networks. Good thing there is no truth to this and it is solely fictional!

I agree your imagination is in overdrive!

[Beau D. Jackson]

The city's politics consisted of the adoption of poses of smug moral righteousness based on a certain vision of racial enlightenment. In reality, however, its power structure was a very small group of community and business leaders, together with a corrupt black political machine, that jointly ruled the city. It was an oligarchy of sorts.

I think you have the bases of a best seller here. It's filled with exciting twists and turns therefore you might want to consider structuring it like one of the oldtime "cliffhangers." Additionally, you might want to include somekind of protector of justice and the All-American way like the "Shadow" or a "Batman/Robin" character, hell I know I'll buy the book! Beau

[Brenda Bowers]

Joe Dear if this is the type of stuff that is "welling-up" in you I think a healthy dose of Pepto-Pink Stuff is needed. Mom B

[wayne]

Joe
No one will believe you story. Its too farfetched. We all know this could not happen in the 21rst century. Furthermore there can't be that many stupid politicians and newspaper people in any city.

[Laura Hamilton]

Just a little nuance that might be added is that the reporter/columnist that stirred up the controversy at its beginning, was promoted to investigative reporter 1 week after the "not guilty" verdict was reached & all other charges were dropped against the innocent policemen. The editor of the local paper thought that this would be a good way of flipping off the citizens who had been requesting more responsible news coverage.
I apologize if this is too unbelievable to fit into an everyday fiction story.