The Piper for the Panthers
-----------------------------------------
The New Adventures of the Rugby League Cops:
White Jersey Blue
The Clean Out
Jay Lagaaia as Sergeant Anthony Puletua
Colin Friels as Detective Senior Constable Luke Priddis
Rodger Corser as Constable Jarrod Sammut
Tammin Sursok as Constable Amanda Flynn
Aaron Pedersen as Senior Constable Michael Jennings
And Gary Sweet as Chief Inspector Coach
Scene CUA Station, Penrith (Crime Undercover Association)
Previously, in the last episode
It was some years ago now, back in 2003 that the undercover officers of Penrith made history with one of the biggest police busts of all time; single handedly bringing down the biggest crime syndicate in Sydney themselves. Experiencing great success that year as well as the year after, the team was the best the crime stopping league had to show.
Today, the squad had lost some of their superstars and the officers remaining from those great years were not performing to the best of their ability. Ending 2007, every other team was above them in performance level. Something had to be done.
***
A surprise visit from Chief Inspector Coach, all the way from the countrys capital, stuns all the officers stationed out west of Sydney. And the Chief Inspector wasnt here for a social call. He walked in to the office of Sergeant Puletua, closely followed by a young man in uniform. Puletua and Detective Priddis both stood to greet the man newly in charge.
Chief Inspector Coach, what a pleasant surprise, Puletua welcomed him.
Gentlemen, Coach wasted no time beginning his introduction. Ive been asked to step in at this point in time to help your efforts controlling crime in your community. Its been sometime since youve been successful and the Penrith people want answers.
The younger officer is introduced. Sergeant, Detective, this is Constable Sammut. Ive brought him up from the lower grades of this association. I think hes just one officer that will become a household name in the near future.
The three greet one another.
Coach said as he pulled out some papers to read off. Ive also been looking over recent case files and have found interesting statistics. You have an officer by the name of Jennings in your ranks?
Yes we do, confirmed Priddis.
Impressive stats, said Coach. Has run down many criminals on foot. Squeezes through the gaps to get the undercover information. Put many perpetrators behind cross bars.
As he puts the papers down, he ends with, This is the kind of officer we can build a team around.
Puletua seemed pleased but perplexed. The new officers are a wonderful inclusion, but we dont have enough room for all of them. What about the older members who brought down the Bondi Boys syndicate in 03?
That is in the past, Sargeant, Coach snapped. Five years ago. No ones questioning that you werent outstanding in those triumphant years, because the whole squad was. Youre efforts today shouldnt make us overlook what you did in 2003. But the clear fact is that the large majority of the syndicate busting team is not up to scratch at this point in time. Now its time. Time to move on. Its time to clean out. You two, for example. Youve not preformed anywhere near what weve come to expect of you. If there is not enough room in the team for everyone, its the ones who arent producing good police work that need to go.
Priddis looked at Coach intently. What are you saying, Coach?
Im saying, Coach said with great apprehension, That there are going to be big changes at CUA Station. Senior Constable Wesser has already been transferred to make way for the up and comers. Im suggesting a transfer for you, Sargeant; OKI Jubilee Station needs a large leader like you there. Detective, youll find youre the newest member of the Windsor Drug Squad.
The two team members were stunned. Theyd been there for so long. With a new Chief Inspector in charge, this happens all of a sudden. But their poor form could not be denied. They had many opportunities to prove themselves as first grade officers, but in their specific roles, both men were not doing what they were expected to do.
Sargeant Puletua and Detective Senior Constable Priddis packed their belongings and then moved out.
Coach was on the phone immediately.
Get me Senior Constable Aiton. Ive got a position to offer him. He ended the call and turned to Sammut.
Mate, this is the start of a new era at Penrith.
750 words says the official word counter