Controversy Over Police Incompetence

The Public Relations Section Chief from the National Police Agency Headquarters clicked his tongue, staring at the monitor.

Click. Click. Click.

With each article he scrolled past, the wrinkles between his brows deepened.

[Another Delayed Police Response, Only Citizens Injured in Random Assault]

[Why Were Police Absent from the Scene? Rage Spreads on Social Media]

[Citizens Subdue, Police Clean Up? Recurring Incompetence Controversy]

Ugh, damn it."

The air in the office grew even colder at the low-muttered curse. From behind his monitor, a civil servant nervously glanced over.

"Anyway, those scumbag journalists..."

Lately, such articles appeared without fail every single day. The problem was that the National Police Agency Headquarters' PR department was the ultimate target of all this criticism.

The higher-ups, thoroughly grilled in the National Assembly, were in a foul mood, and their anger was passed down directly.

You haven't properly revamped the police image!? What exactly do you people even do!?

As he was harshly reprimanded, the Public Relations Section Chief thought.

*'They told us to make more campaigns, so we reluctantly did, and they asked if we had any friendly police content, so we even called comedians! We did everything you told us to, so why are you yelling at us?!'*

Of course, these were words he couldn't utter aloud.

There were no more cards left to play.

Because heartwarming stories alone wouldn't sway public opinion.

"Haa... This is stifling."

Just as he was about to get up, thinking he should at least have a cigarette.

Zzzzzzzzt—

His phone vibrated noisily.

"Huh? What's this guy calling for?"

It was a Classmate working in the Violent Crimes Team at Chungju Police Station.

Someone he hadn't heard from in almost two years.

"Hey, you still alive? How's Chungju?"

Hey, are you busy?

"I should be busy, but it's still quiet. Anyway, what brings our busy Violent Crimes Team Chief to call? Surely you didn't call just to idly ask how I'm doing."

"Still quick on the uptake, I see. Well, I was thinking of throwing you a juicy piece of information."

"A tip? For me?"

The Public Relations Section Chief asked indifferently, not feeling much anticipation.

"I was just going to let it go... but no matter how I think about it, it's too good to waste."

"What is it, then?"

"You know about the Chungju Station Weapon Rampage Incident, right? The one that happened recently?"

"Of course I know. I got chewed out so much because of that."

"That citizen who subdued the perpetrator, I know who that person is."

"What? You mean you found him?"

A mysterious man who had taken a child's place as a hostage, and on top of that, had subdued the armed perpetrator. How could he not be interested in the identity of such a person?

"What kind of person is he? A soldier, perhaps? Special forces?"

He made a reasonably logical guess, but what came out of his Classmate's mouth was completely unexpected.

"It seems he's a Central Police Academy Trainee."

"What? A Trainee!?"

The Public Relations Section Chief inadvertently blurted out a shout. Stinging gazes poured in from all over the office.

"Ahem."

Clearing his throat, the Public Relations Section Chief lowered his voice and asked.

"Are you sure?"

"Almost certain. One of my Detectives picked up something he dropped. A shooting earmuff case with the Central Police Academy logo clearly stamped on it."

The Public Relations Section Chief was dumbfounded.

Because the person's identity was so unexpected.

"Did you find out who it was?"

"Of course I did. It's Songtan. He's a 310th Class Trainee."

"You're sure, right?"

"I told you. He was the only one who went out on leave at that time, dressed like that."

"Huh... A mere Trainee caught a knife-wielding madman with his bare hands? This isn't a movie; does this even make sense?"

"The guys under me are going crazy too, saying someone that crazy should be made a Detective right away."

"Normally, people freeze up and wet themselves just seeing a knife... His name is Songtan?"

It was the moment the name Songtan was powerfully etched into the Public Relations Section Chief's mind.

"Wait."

Suddenly, the Public Relations Section Chief's eyes flashed.

*'A hero who prevented a major disaster... turned out to be a Police Trainee on leave?'*

The fragmented pieces of the puzzle in his mind began to fit together.

A Weapon Rampage Incident that could have resulted in dozens of casualties. A hero who risked his life to save a child held hostage. And it turns out he's a future Democratic Police Officer?

As thrilling dopamine coursed through his spine, a shiver ran through him.

"How many people know about this...?"

"Only the guys under me. I'm telling you first."

As soon as he heard that, the Public Relations Section Chief shot up from his seat.

"Sangcheol! Thank you! Damn, I love you, Classmate!"

"Hehehe, get it now? So treat me well."

"Of course I will. I'll come to Chungju with a heavy load, so just you wait."

"Alright. Good luck with that."

The call ended, and the Public Relations Section Chief couldn't hide his excitement.

"If I package this nicely in pretty wrapping paper... I could get a really good story out of this, couldn't I?"

Grinning to himself, he hurriedly left the office.

The Public Relations Section Chief sought out his direct superior, the Public Relations Officer.

The two had a long, private conversation, then emerged amicably and headed straight for the Deputy Director's office.

***

*Inside the Chungju Central Police Academy School Principal's office.*

In the center, at the head seat, the Deputy Director and the Public Relations Officer were seated side-by-side. Next to them, the School Principal sat restlessly.

Their unannounced visit was already perplexing, but the reason for it was even more absurd.

That a single Trainee was the righteous person who caught the Chungju Station Weapon Rampage Perpetrator.

"Um... perhaps you've been misinformed?"

"Do you think I would come here without properly grasping such a thing?"

"That's not what I meant. I apologize."

At the chilling voice, the School Principal's neck instinctively recoiled.

He was hoping to move to a key position at the National Police Agency Headquarters after his term ended this year. He absolutely could not upset the Deputy Director, who was the next powerful figure.

As the heavy silence continued.

Knock-knock—

The long-awaited sound of a knock was heard.

As the door opened, the Head of Student Affairs bowed first.

Behind him, Songtan entered with precision.

With clean, economical movements, almost like a drill.

*At that moment, the Deputy Director's expression completely changed.*

"Come, sit down. Don't stand there uncomfortably."

As the two sat down, the Deputy Director leaned his body slightly forward.

"You're Songtan, aren't you? Wow, you look even better in person."

"Thank you."

The Public Relations Officer sitting next to him also naturally posed a question.

"The citizen hero who stopped the Chungju Station Weapon Rampage. That was you, wasn't it?"

Songtan slowly turned his head and looked at the Public Relations Officer.

*'So the shooting earmuffs were there after all?'*

He had suspected he might have dropped them during the struggle with the perpetrator, but now he was certain.

The Head of Student Affairs, aghast, turned to Songtan and said.

"The person who subdued the knife-wielding perpetrator... it was really you?"

Sharp gazes fell upon him.

Songtan slowly nodded his head.

"Yes, that's me."

"Huh... Good heavens."

The dumbfounded Head of Student Affairs leaned back against the sofa's backrest as if collapsing.

He seemed to have momentarily forgotten that the Deputy Director was in front of him.

The Deputy Director, nodding with a satisfied smile, asked Songtan.

"Why on earth did you hide it? After doing such a great thing."

Songtan, after a slight hesitation, answered Docilely.

"Because my status is that of a Trainee. Since I'm not yet a formally appointed Police Officer, I was worried if there might be problems... Honestly, I was scared."

The Deputy Director nodded with a gaze that felt warm.

"Just as I thought. I completely understand. But you know what? Our police force isn't such an inflexible organization. Isn't that right?"

At the Deputy Director's gaze, the Public Relations Officer, who had been diligently taking notes, nodded his head.

"The Deputy Director is right. What Trainee Songtan did is a truly great achievement that shows the prestige and dignity of our police force. As the Public Relations Officer, I don't want your chivalry to be buried like this."

"My thoughts are no different. You've already shown the essence of a Republic of Korea Police Officer. You just haven't put on the uniform yet."

From then on, the words coming from their mouths were practically praises.

*'Was that person even capable of such an expression?'*

He was a Deputy Director who only cared about numbers and results, without any emotional fluctuations.

For such a person to show such a favorable attitude towards a mere Trainee was a sight the School Principal had never seen before.

"So the conclusion is... this incident is too significant to end as a mere personal anecdote."

The Public Relations Officer spoke coaxingly. Songtan showed a troubled expression.

"I merely did what I had to do. Honestly, having my face known is also a burden."

He had expected him to accept immediately, but when Songtan showed a more negative nuance than expected, the Public Relations Officer was flustered.

Even a provincial governor can refuse if he doesn't like it, after all.

But he absolutely couldn't let it go.

This opportunity to instantly reverse the police image that had fallen to rock bottom.

"Don't be like that, please just reconsider. Hmm?"

The School Principal and the Head of Student Affairs could only stare blankly with their mouths agape at this astonishing situation, where high-ranking officials from the National Police Agency Headquarters were trying to curry favor with a single Trainee, practically begging him.

"If you just make up your mind, a corresponding reward will also be given."

As the Deputy Director gave a subtle hint, the Public Relations Officer eagerly picked up the conversation.

"If you go home with an award at graduation, wouldn't your parents be happy?"

For the first time, Songtan's ears perked up.

"Not only that, your meritorious service that elevated the honor of the police will be fully reflected in your overall evaluation. Isn't that right, School Principal?"

"Huh? Oh, of course."

The School Principal, who had been staring blankly, answered a beat late.

"Lastly... I'll make an effort to ensure you're preferentially assigned to your desired place of work. How about that?"

It implied that if he wished, they could send him to a key investigative department at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

It was practically the greatest reward a Trainee could receive.

The Public Relations Officer looked anxiously at Songtan, who was deep in thought.

When about ten seconds had passed.

"I understand. If I can be of help to the organization... I will try to handle it."

As the desired answer finally came, the Public Relations Officer cheered inwardly.

The Deputy Director, with a smile radiating satisfaction, patted Songtan on the shoulder.

"Hahaha. You made a good decision. There's no reason to refuse. It's about publicizing something that will be an example to everyone, isn't it?"

As the Deputy Director gave a hint, the School Principal nodded with a reluctant expression.

Because the atmosphere made it impossible not to.

"That's right. Trainee Songtan is still leading a very exemplary school life. Moreover, his Practical Score is very good, so the Instructors praise him endlessly."

At the School Principal's words, as if something had occurred to him, Songtan cautiously posed a question.

"Um... but what if I get expelled before that?"

The amicable atmosphere turned chillingly cold.

"Expelled? What do you mean? Why would you be expelled?"

At the Deputy Director's question, Songtan scratched his head.

"Actually, I was severely bullied in high school and dropped out. But that fact... I was told it could be grounds for expulsion..."

"What did you say?"

The Deputy Director, his face turning red and then pale, roared.

"What crazy bastard said such nonsense?! Why would a Victim, not a Perpetrator, be expelled?! Who is it! Who's the bastard who spouted such rubbish?!"

At the Deputy Director's fierce outburst, Songtan's gaze turned to one person.

Towards the Head of Student Affairs, whose face was completely drained of color, frantically waving his hands.