The Rookie

Last day of Tim barking orders.

Last day that they can fire us at a moment's notice.

Last day of them recording every flaw for posterity.

It's kind of bittersweet.

Nope. Just sweet.

Sorry. Sorry.

Guys, stop apologizing.

You guys have finally made it,

and I will be right behind you.

Look, the extra month will fly by.

You know it.

Now, is Tim gonna do anything special

to memorialize your last shift together?

Not knowingly.

You know, when you move on

from an important relationship,

there are steps you should take to ensure a healthy parting.

We are going to work through every single one of them.

How, if he doesn't know you're doing it?

Trickery. Bye.

That's... Yeah.

Who are you gonna ride with today?

No idea.

Grey's busy, and Smitty's getting a back tattoo.

That's... Yeah. Don't ask.

So, we are out of TOs, and I'm guessing

I'm finishing my rookie year at the front desk.

Boot.

Where's our gear?

Wait, what?

We started this journey together.

I think we should end it that way.

Don't you?

Yeah.

Then let's go.

I thought we were tight.

You did?

Um, we are.

That's... I mean, why? What?

You told your ethics professor

she should come for a ride along?

No.

We... No.

We didn't even, discuss it,

but I-I need to pass this class,

so it's super important she doesn't get shot today.

No promises.

You ride with me, you ride the roller coaster.

Okay, Nyla, I know that...

Hi. Good morning. Good morning.

Professor Ryan, this is Detective Nyla Harper,

my training officer.

I'm told you're gonna be going

on a ride along with us today.

I hope that's okay.

I didn't want to put you in an awkward position by asking you,

but your watch commander said that you'd feel cheated

if I didn't ride with you, so...

And he was right.

Shall we?

Okay.

So, you, sign all the paperwork

that says that we are not liable

if you are maimed or killed?

I did. It seemed a bit excessive.

No, it's not.

I mean, we will try our best to protect you,

but we cannot guarantee your safety.

You will be exposed to all the same dangers that we are.

Well, more farmers die yearly than cops do.

I didn't have to sign a liability waiver

to go apple picking.

That's because you weren't picking them

out of a wood chipper.

Hey,

have you ever seen a body camera up close?

No.

Well, they're always running,

until we actually need them.

We switch them on, then they start recording,

and they go back two minutes

so we can catch any of that last-minute action.

Yet they're always broken

whenever the cops cross the line.

You'd be surprised how many police officers

actually want a body camera.

That way,

it makes it easier to disprove complaints.

Okay, then you will not mind

if I record the ride along myself...

As research tool.

No problem.

Just as long as you turn it off

when we hit the strip club for the lunch buffet.

She's kidding.

That buffet is terrible at that strip club.

You got yours on? Yeah.

Alright.

It's our last shift together.

It's crazy?

Not really.

Come on.

I mean, we've been riding shoulder to shoulder

for over a year now.

And soon, there'll be a new rookie sitting in that seat,

annoying the crap out of me for 12 hours a day.

So, you're not gonna miss riding with me at all?

It's a job, not happy hour.

Denial. Check.

What?

Nothing.

So, you teach full time?

No. Just nights and weekends.

My day job is civil rights litigation.

And then there's lecturing, the writing,

the cable news hits.

When do you sleep?

Sleep? What's that?

Is that what you were doing in my class on Monday?

What?

No. No.

Sometimes, I just... I hold a blink

for a really long time.

You sure lying to your teacher is the way to go here?

Actually, now that I hear it out loud,

I'd like to revise my answer.

Yeah.

So, given how busy you are,

why take the time for a ride along?

Well, I'm finishing up a book on the future of policing.

Hey, what would you say is the, biggest challenge

you face day to day?

Finding a safe bathroom.

That is... that is true.

I mean, we can't use a stall bathroom for safety reasons.

The door has to go floor to ceiling.

And the location of the bathroom, also very important,

so that not a lot of people can see us entering and leaving.

7-Adam-15,

residential burglary alarm, 1330 Monrovia.

Hundred bucks it's an accidental trigger.

That is a hard pass.

She's... She's kidding.

No. No way we'd blow off a service call.

Copy. Responding.

Do you see yourself as my mentor?

No. I'm your TO.

It's my job to make sure you're not dangerously incompetent

when you hit the streets without supervision tomorrow.

You know, when I was a rookie,

I couldn't wait to get off probation.

I am excited.

Believe me.

But I also know the importance of acknowledging your loss

when going through something like this.

"Acknowledging your loss"?

What is this, some "Intro to Psych" closure BS?

It's not BS.

It's a widely used psychological model

to help people cope with the end of a relationship.

Relationship?

Partnership. Mentor ship.

Whatever you want to call it.

Look, I don't want to call it anything.

It's not like you won't see me tomorrow at the station.

You know, what's there to talk about?

A lot.

I have a list.

So... A list?

You know, littering isa $250 fine.

Worth it.

What are you smiling about?

Well, we were at denial,

but now we have moved to anger.

That's more progress.

Thank you.

Gets me out of the office.

I mean, not just for today.

I mean, you could have bounced me from the program

after that first day.

I owe you my career.

I'd settle for a sandwich. We're near Phillipe's.

But you just had breakfast.

You questioning the pregnant lady?

No, ma'am. No, ma'am.

What?

You're gonna be a mom.

And?

I don't know. I mean

a lot's happened since we started out together.

I knew my TO would be important to my career,

but... I don't know.

I didn't realize how important you'd be to my life.

Lay off the sappy stuff. I'm nauseous enough as it is.

Have you read my work?

I have.

I actually follow you on social media.

And?

I'd make a lot of the reforms you're pushing for,

but some just aren't based in reality.