The video had gone viral within forty-five minutes. On Facebook, thousands of local residents were re-sharing the 73-second clip under hashtags demanding justice. But Simone knew that viral outrage alone didn't win in a court of law; preserved, unassailable evidence did.
Knowing that her position as a high-ranking federal prosecutor could create an immediate conflict of interest, Simone acted with laser-focused precision. She immediately called her supervisor, United States Attorney Rebecca Halpern.
"Rebecca, I am calling you strictly as a parent, not a prosecutor," Simone said, her voice shaking with restrained fury. "My twelve-year-old daughter was just assaulted by a Westbridge police officer. The video is already circulating publicly. I need an immediate formal ethics screen placed around me and my unit, and I need the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to take over."
Rebecca didn't hesitate. "Consider yourself officially screened, Simone. Take Aaliyah to urgent care immediately. Let the FBI and DOJ handle the investigation. Do not contact Westbridge PD yourself."
While Simone brought Aaliyah to the pediatric clinic to have her wrist, shoulder, and facial injuries officially documented by Dr. Elena Ruiz, legal preservation notices were dispatched like lightning to the Westbridge Police Department. The notices legally ordered the department to preserve all dashcam footage, bodycam audio, GPS location logs, radio transmissions, and internal communications.
Meanwhile, across town at Westbridge Police Headquarters, Officer Trent Mallerie sat in a breakroom with his union representative, Sergeant Lucas Dwire. Mallerie was sipping coffee, nonchalantly scrolling through his phone.
"It was a routine stop," Mallerie scoffed, completely unfazed. "The kid darted out, ignored commands, and got combative. I used standard control pressure. No big deal."
"Trent, the video is blowing up online," Dwire warned, leaning in. "The kid's mother isn't just some local resident. She's Simone Brooks."
Mallerie paused, his coffee mug frozen halfway to his mouth. "Who?"