He described the Saturday he had planned, the restoration of the Chevelle, and the look on Puit's face before the officer spoke. He explained his decision to request a supervisor and acknowledged the risk of delaying the badge reveal. He did not describe Puit as a monster or ask anyone to imagine themselves in his place. He asked the panel to read the report beside the video and decide whether an officer who invented new justifications after each one failed could be trusted to exercise authority over other citizens.
"The moment that stays with me isn't when he opened the baton," Raymond said. "It's when he looked at my house and suggested my wife could be removed from it because I wouldn't submit to a search without cause. Sandra has spent thirty years making a home with me. He took one look at us and decided he could threaten all of that." Raymond paused, allowing himself the honesty he had avoided in earlier statements. "I was afraid for her, and I was angry that he knew he could make me feel that way."
He looked at Puit, then back at the panel. "But my badge is not evidence that this officer did something wrong. The conduct is evidence. The badge is only the reason he finally became afraid of being held accountable." A small movement passed through the room as several people lowered their eyes to the documents in front of them. "If this hearing ends with you telling me the system worked because I happened to be a detective sergeant, then you will have missed everything that matters."
Mercer asked him what outcome he believed necessary. Raymond did not hesitate. "Terminate an officer who has demonstrated an inability to use police authority lawfully. Refer the evidence for appropriate criminal review. Examine the entire chain that closed the prior complaints. And put a process in place so the next Henry Calder, Malik Patterson, or Jerome Ellis can be heard without needing someone like me to get stopped first."
The panel recessed, reviewed the final evidence, and returned with a decision before the afternoon ended. Chief Mercer informed Puit that his employment was terminated for cause, subject to applicable appeal procedures. She stated the sustained findings plainly: an unjustified detention attempt, improper use-of-force escalation, knowingly inaccurate reporting, and discriminatory conduct contrary to departmental policy. She also directed the licensing referral and criminal investigation to continue through their independent channels, making clear that an administrative decision was not the same as a criminal conviction.
Puit sat very still. He had expected a disciplinary suspension, additional training, or another negotiated transfer. He looked toward Morrow, but the union representative was studying the table. Donner leaned close to explain the appeals process. For the first time in eleven years, Puit heard rules described to him not as tools he could use against other people but as limits he could no longer avoid.
Outside the conference room, Chief Mercer waited until Raymond had collected his notes. "The Civilian Oversight Board wants you to consider chairing its new independent review commission," she said. "You'd have to retire from active duty to avoid a conflict of interest, and the appointment would require council approval. It won't be easy work." Raymond studied her.