Publisher's Synopsis
Follow the careers and lives of Detectives Jose "Plato" Gomez and Gary Arlaud of the Virgin Islands Police Department in St. Croix, the big isle. This is the first of a four book series spanning their lives from the 1960s-1980s This novel is an amalgam of truth and fiction. All of the events described are based on actual occurrences, some of which have been slightly altered for the sake of dramatic unity. Some of the characters are a combination of several people; this allows a consolidation for literary efficiency. For example, Jose Gomez looks nothing like the character of Plato. Nevertheless, Plato has the best elements of the real Jose Gomez, driving what the character should be. The real people know who they are, and without them, this story would not have been possible. The names of living policemen have been changed to protect the privacy of those who were there. Some dates have also been chronologically adjusted. This story takes place at the end of an era. The story of what it was to be a Cop, and how Cops got the job done. Within ten years Police, work was turned inside out. Driven by the stiffer mandates of the Miranda decision, governments finally starting to pay realistic wages to, attract and retain professional policemen. The Federal Government began to share funds through the L.E.A.A. Most of all, the advent of computer technology did more to overhaul the law enforcement profession, and culture, than any other single factor. Technological advancements drove law enforcement in both the weapons and forensics departments to heretofore-unbelievable heights. For example, think of Americas favorite small town cop, Barney Fife on the Mayberry PD, who was, as typically equipped as any real cop you might have met back then. Look at Barneys belt, Whistle, one pair of cuffs, gun (revolver, 6 shot, and 6 more in reserve), police baton, and a ticket book. Now compare Barneys limited amount of equipment to any cop you've seen lately (9MM Glock 15 rounds in the gun and 30-45 in reserve). Two pairs of handcuffs, teargas/mace, a collapsible stick, Tazer gun, and more. Compare Mayberry's Spartan police car to any police car today (Jet fighters should have so much) The average modern Police cruiser will have between 3-7 aerials. Policemen in our story had no personal radios to talk to each other. We had Key accessed phones separated at about six block intervals on our downtown streets and car radios. Light bars and electronic (not wind powered) sirens had just barely been invented by the 70tys.. Most of the chapters in this book will begin with what I will call a Technical, Philosophical, or experience relating to the subject of the story that will follow. I hope this will make the subject matter easier for follow, such as Arson, Crime Scene, and Homicide etc.
