The roadside stop had already become tense by the time one of the officers reached into Victoria’s shorts pocket. Moments earlier, the officers appeared certain they were in control of the encounter. Then they opened a small black leather case and saw the identification inside.
It was not an ordinary ID. The card identified Victoria as an investigator with a state oversight unit that reviewed complaints involving law-enforcement conduct.
The confidence on the officers’ faces faded quickly.
Victoria had not been arguing for the sake of it. She had been asking questions, documenting the stop, and pressing for basic explanations. Now the officers understood why she had asked whether they were sure about what they were doing.