By: Daiyu Tang
It is with some regret that I find myself writing about the impact on one particular elderly gentleman that a visit to the Hathian Police Department (‘HPD’) caused, but it also important to note that once this matter was brought to the attention of the right people in the PD that matters moved towards what might hopefully be considered a ‘better’ outcome than many of the Twitterazi (or Blueskyers) were suggesting.
Let me briefly lay out the facts as I was told and then also lay out the the material provided to me by the PD, which goes some way, to making things right.
The Old Lawyer
Mr. Mendez appeared to me to be an elderly gentleman of over sixty when he walked into the office. Certainly he was probably in danger from former Observer reporter Zofia, but as she wasn’t there (we miss you Zo at the Observer!), he was faced with myself and was able to lay out his case without fear.
The elderly man, who ascribed himself as an honest lawyer from MZ Attorneys was able to neatly lay out a case of police incompetence, bordering on psychotic behaviour that occurred when he visited the HPD to try and obtain case files for one of his clients. He described it to me thus:
“I am a mostly retired attorney, Vietnam Veteran and long time upstanding citizen of Laveau parish. I have also been a proponent of the law and strictly abide by those laws as well as believe in fairness of justice. I have been a supporter of the local Sheriffs and a long time supporter of the Hathian Police department and city, I even have donated thousands over my long life. I belief in fairness, justice and the rights of every citizen.
Recently I was asked to do a favor and come out of retirement to help someone that may need a fair shake, at least a fair trial if it came to it. I was retained by my client and without haste journeyed to the Hathian Police Department to request my clients file and to find out what charges my client was facing if any. I also requested to see a particular officer on the case, so you see Ms. Tang, I was in discovery.
Unfortunately that’s where the story twists, for I was invited into the office under the pretence of cooperation and absolutely assaulted by two low ranking officers, a man with more makeup on than my last geriatric date and the other completely clueless about how the law works and procedures. As a result of the physical assault, the threat of rape by this long haired ‘sissy’, and the beating I took from the female officer I suffered a heart attack.
I have just recovered from a hip fracture and they kept my ornate cane my nephew had handmade for me, stole my ID and credit card. I woke up in the hospital with additional injuries that I do not know how occurred, such as a bruised face and broken rib, and thankfully my pants were still on and in place. I am an old man with a pristine record, seeking to follow the law at all times, this is and never will be justice nor tolerated. I demand that the brass fire and perhaps bring charges against these two individuals at once!”
The Who
Of course, I asked him who the officers were who treated him unfairly, but alas he was only able to get a name from one of them.
“The female officer introduced herself and her name is Officer O’Connel and the other man was behind me assaulting me but he had those long fake coloured nails on and really long white hair, very effeminate, but I didn’t catch his name.”
I am not aware of that officer, nor the description of the other, but with the rate of casualties in the HPD… well, new recruits are a dime a dozen.
So, of course it came down to getting a statement from the HPD, to see what was going on, and despite those who predicted it wasn’t possible, then perhaps the looming gravity of literally beating your grandad to a heart attack weighed on their minds and they did the right thing.
Hathian PD Statement
The Hathian Police Department regrets the unpleasant experience and unfortunate incident of Mr Mendez’s mistaken identity that led into temporary detainment of individual in question and the medical emergency possibly caused by the officers involved. As a representative of this department, I personally extend my sincere apologies to Mr. Mendez for this experience.
Steps are being taken to review our procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including a reassessment of hiring and training policies to ensure officers are better equipped to handle such situations involving medical emergencies appropriately.
Additionally, in light of this incident, we will be reviewing the overall effectiveness and necessity of the department’s DEI hiring program to determine if adjustments are needed to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and competency within our force.
I encourage Mr. Mendez to reach out to me personally to discuss this matter further in a formal setting.
Krystal Nina Maria O’Neil Detective Inspector, Shield #40264 Hathian Police Department, Detective Division
I’d also like to thank the HPD for the return of the cane that was ‘confiscated’ by the officers involved. It has or shortly will, find its way back to the rightful owner.
Hathian, stay safe, but also be counted. Do right things and make change happen!
