Chapter Two
Starsky thought long and hard as to whether he should mention Vanessa to his neighbours; he had asked the couple next door to look after his home while he was away. He decided that it would be better if he did warn them about her. He didn't trust Vanessa not to show up again and try to inveigle her way into the apartment on some pretext or another. If she got in, heaven only knew what she might do to his and Hutch's stuff. If her last visit had been any indication, she wasn't above breaking things and making a mess at the very least. To his thinking, she seemed to be becoming more and more unstable with every passing week.
Starsky remembered how Hutch had tried not to let anyone know where he was the first few weeks after he moved in with him. At first, it was because Hutch didn't think he would be there that long, not just because he didn't want anyone from his old life knowing where he was and letting Vanessa know.
Within days, Starsky realised that Hutch had trouble accepting that Starsky really was okay with him moving in and that the offer for him to stay as long as he needed was genuine. Hutch just couldn't seem to believe that anyone could like him for who he was and would be happy to help him without expecting anything back. Starsky had to reassure Hutch a lot those first few weeks.
After nearly two months living with Starsky, Hutch felt obliged to ring his mother and let her know where he was. Starsky had heard half of that conversation and it had not been a happy experience. Hutch's parents didn't seem to care how their son was doing, they just cared about what he was doing, and told him that he was 'letting the side down' as far as they were concerned. If Hutch had let him take hold of the phone, Starsky would have given them a piece of his mind. Although Starsky didn't live in the same city as his own mother, he knew she would worry about him if he was unhappy – she only wanted what was best for him. He wished Hutch's parents were more like that but they weren't so there was no use wishing for it. Starsky had done his best to support and nurture his new friend any way he could think of until Hutch started to get some confidence in himself.
A few weeks later, Vanessa had found out where Hutch was - either from his parents or from the HR person at his old job that he had informed so that he could receive his last pay check. A short time later, the letters from Vanessa started arriving. At first, these had been full of apologies and romantic words trying to remind him of all the good times they had had together and making promises that everything would be better if he came back. Hutch answered the first one with a short note, writing that he wouldn't be coming back and to please get on with her life without him. He was happy for her to keep their apartment and wished her well. Vanessa ignored his wishes and kept on writing.
Very quickly, the letters graduated to a bullying tone and included threats against him as well as Hutch. Starsky had not been perturbed by Vanessa's threats but Hutch had been really upset and kept apologising for having caused Starsky trouble. Then it had gone quiet for a couple of weeks and they had hoped that Vanessa had finally got the message that Hutch had no intention of ever seeing her again, let alone moving back in.
But it wasn't in her nature to accept defeat gracefully – hence the vituperative letter two weeks ago, quickly followed by her visit last week and her trying to threaten Hutch in person. She was vile, Starsky decided. There was no other way to describe her. If she showed up again, he was going to report it and see if he could get some legal advice on how to stop her coming around. Hutch had got himself in a good place now and Starsky didn't want him ever going back to where he had been. They'd become good friends over the last few months and he wanted to do everything he could to protect him.
On the afternoon before he and Hutch were due to register at the Bay City Police Academy, Starsky popped around to his neighbours. He handed them his spare key and gave them Hutch's instructions for watering his plants. Evelyn and Fred were both keen gardeners so they were more than happy to look after Hutch's 'babies' during the weeks he was away training.
Then Starsky briefly told them that Hutch was going through an unamicable divorce and that they weren't to let anyone into the apartment without Starsky's permission. He impressed upon them that they shouldn't let anyone inside even if they said they were from the Gas Board or some other legitimate company. They promised to tell anyone who called that they would have to come back on another occasion; and that they would contact him to check with him before allowing anyone entry.
On the morning of registration day, as he packed for the first few weeks at the Police Academy, Starsky felt much happier knowing that someone was going to be keeping an eye on his home. He hoped that Vanessa wouldn't be able to cause any trouble or bother Hutch while they were training but he had a sinking feeling that they hadn't seen the last of her.
He locked the door behind him and walked down the steps towards Hutch, who was waiting, leaning up against the side of the car. The trunk was open and Hutch's bag and guitar, a box of kitchen items, and another bag of Starsky's were already inside. Starsky shoved his case in and slammed the trunk door shut. He was starting to feel very excited about the new chapter of life they were both about to start. It was time to forget about Vanessa and concentrate on the future.
On the ride over to the Academy, Starsky noticed that his companion was very quiet. "You nervous, Hutch? What you thinking about over there?"
"I'm just wondering if it will make a difference us being a bit older than the other cadets. I'm a bit nervous I won't be able to keep up."
"Hutch, you make it sound like you're an old man. We're only a couple of years over the normal entry age. Anyway, we got life experience. That's going to make us better than kids that have come straight from college in loads of ways."
"You really think so."
"Trust me, pal. We're going to do fine."
"So you're not anxious about anything at all?"
"Well," Starsky admitted, "I guess I'm nervous about learning all the rules and regulations and having to do written exams…just 'cause it's a long time since I've been at school."
"Well, I'll help you all I can, buddy."
"I know you will, buddy, and I'll help you too. So we'll be fine. Me and thee, remember?"
"Yeah," Hutch said with a smile, "Me and thee against the world."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Hey, sweetheart," Starsky said to the female administrator, who was ticking off the cadets on her accommodation list and issuing them with keys to their rooms, "Any chance me and my buddy can share a room?"
"All rooms are assigned in order of sign up. If you signed up on the same day, you'll probably find you're in the same block anyway. What are your names?"
"I'm David Starsky. My buddy over there is Kenneth Hutchinson." He pointed to where Hutch was stood, leaning against a wall surrounded by their bags, the box and his guitar case.
The administrator looked through her list. "Yes, here we are. Both in Block B. You're in Room 12, he's in Room 7."
"Could you swap one of us? I mean, have either of the other guys in 7 or 12 checked in yet?"
"Well, no, they haven't, but I'm not really supposed to swap people around."
Starsky gave her his most charming smile and then leaned in conspiratorially. "But you could do it, couldn't you, please? See, my buddy has just had some bad family news and I think he could do with a bit of friendly support for a while. I'd be really grateful." His wheedling tone had the desired effect.
"All right, Mr Starsky. I'll move you into Room 7 but please don't tell anyone or I'll get into trouble."
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "You're a doll and I swear I'll keep this a secret between me and you."
The woman blushed and smiled then handed Starsky two sets of keys. Wearing a triumphant grin, Starsky walked over to Hutch and picked up his case full of clothes, the box and a smaller bag of comics and snacks he'd bought the previous day.
As they headed across the campus, Starsky said, "Block B and we're sharing room 7."
"Is that what all that hand-kissing was about?" Hutch asked.
"Yeah, the old Starsky charm worked a treat. I got her to swap me to be your roommate."
Hutch pretended to frown. "What if I was looking forward to a different roommate? How much do you think it would cost to swap you back?"
Starsky punched his arm. "You know ya love me, Blintz!"
Starsky led the way into Block B. They entered through a central door and then turned right, through a set of heavy fire doors to get to rooms 7-12. Hutch smiled as he followed his friend. He was relieved that they would be able to share a room. Starsky was a known quantity and Hutch was glad he'd have his best friend close by during what he was sure were going to be some hard months of training.
They passed through a communal kitchen area and then into another corridor, which had two doors labelled as bathrooms and six numbered doors. Starsky unlocked the door to room 7 and they stepped inside. The door opened into a shared study space – there were two desks, two chairs, one bookshelf, one trolley with a small plug-in kettle on it, and a small sofa that had seen better days. Behind the threadbare seat was a large window, which showed the view across the campus. To the left and right, there were doors, which led to the bedrooms. Hutch went to investigate one room while Starsky unloaded the box of kitchen stuff.
Hutch reappeared in the doorway. "It's not too bad. You couldn't swing a porcupine in it but…" He shrugged.
Starsky looked at him enquiringly. "Do a lot of swinging porcupines in Minnesota, do you?"
Hutch laughed and said fondly, "Nitwit."
Starsky grinned and went to look in the other bedroom. There was a single bed, a chest of drawers and a small wardrobe. He dumped his suitcase on the bed and went back into the shared living area. "I see what you mean."
"Which side of the room would you like?" Hutch asked.
"Don't mind…I'll probably spend all my time on the sofa anyway!" Starsky said, as he sat down in a sprawl.
Hutch shook his head and pulled out the chair from the desk on the left-hand side of the room and sat on it. "That is supposed to be a shared sofa, you know."
Starsky grinned. "We'll work out a timetable for it later!"
"We've got half an hour before orientation. You want to make a drink or unpack before we go?"
"Let's leave the unpacking until later. I think we should try out that kettle. What snack do you want?"
Hutch shook his head at the sight of Starsky already digging into his emergency supply of snacks. "They will feed us, you know."
Starsky shrugged as he opened a packet of salted chips. "I'm hungry. I can't help it."
"I know – multiple stomachs."
It was an old joke and made them both feel at ease.
Hutch picked up the kettle. "I'll go fill this up in that kitchen we came through."
"All right. I'll get the mugs ready. Don't get lost on the way back."
"Ha ha!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
At orientation on the first afternoon, the pair of them had been handed a pack containing their study timetables; assignment and exam timetables; reading lists; library and dining cards and advice on setting up or joining study groups.
Now, on the first full day, they were given an introduction to the instructors; an overview of the course; snippets of information about each of the units they would be studying; a tour of the library; and an idea of what was expected of them. There were twelve subjects to be covered in twenty seven units over the length of the course plus sessions of Physical Training each week. The core subjects were all run as three unit courses and included: Introduction to Law Enforcement; Administration of Justice; Patrol Procedures; Criminal Law; Criminal Evidence; Criminal Investigation; Juvenile Procedures; Narcotics and Vice Control; and Traffic Control. In addition to these, there were one unit courses on Firearms; Defensive Tactics; and First Aid. Three core subjects plus one non-core would be studied in each of three blocks plus there was an extra unit of PT in every block.
When Starsky and Hutch compared timetables that evening, they found they were together for Traffic Control but nothing else during the first block.
As he went off to his first class the next morning, Hutch looked a bit anxious. Starsky slapped his back and told him he would be fine. They arranged to meet up at lunch time and Starsky reminded him that they had Traffic Control together in the afternoon anyway.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Hutch made it through his first session of 'Introduction to Law Enforcement' and actually found he enjoyed it and seemed to understand a lot more than some of the younger members of his class, who asked questions about things that seemed obvious to him. He felt a glimmer of confidence that he might do all right at some of the subjects. His next class was the unit on 'Defence Tactics' and he felt his nerves returning as he entered the gym and sat down.
"So, how many of you think you know some defence techniques already? Anybody had self-defence lessons?" the instructor asked. He was a short, bald-headed man with a no-nonsense voice, who looked like he'd been born a physical training instructor.
Three hands shot up out of a class of twenty. A second later, Hutch tentatively put his hand up. The cadet sat next to him looked surprised. He'd seen Hutchinson trip over twice on the way over to the class and had marked him down as a bit of a klutz. At the very least, the demonstration should be good for a laugh.
"All right. Let's have the four of you up. See what you've got."
The instructor told the first cadet to stand on the mat in the middle of the gym floor. "Now, I'm going to come at you and I want you to defend yourself. Neutralise me if you can."
He lunged at the young cadet, who sidestepped him and tried to block the smaller man's arm as it headed towards his chest. He was successful the first time but quickly found himself on his back on the mat. The instructor helped him up. "Not too bad. We can work on that. Next."
The second cadet, who was about the same height as the instructor, tried to anticipate which way the instructor would go and miscalculated, ending up in a heap on the floor. The instructor laughed and clapped the cadet on his back as he sent him back to his seat.
As the third cadet stepped forward, Hutch started to feel sick. What on earth had he been thinking? He should have known no good would come from volunteering to do something like this. He was bound to make a fool of himself. That was all he had time to think as the third cadet had ended up on the mat at his feet. Hutch helped him up. The young man whispered, "Good luck."
Hutch tried to block all thoughts from his mind and concentrate on what Starsky had taught him. "The assailant moves, block with your arm. He tries again, block again. Step out of reach; keep out of the conflict zone. Raised knuckle ready. Aim for the chest or neck." Hutch went for the chest and found the instructor was staggering backwards.
"Woah!" The shorter man grinned at Hutch and said, "That'll do, cadet. Well done."
Hutch blinked in amazement and went to sit down. He couldn't believe that he'd not only lasted longer than the others, he also hadn't ended up on his back. His neighbour on the bench nudged him and nodded. Hutch sat up a bit straighter. Okay, so he was a couple of years older than most of the cadets but he wasn't totally useless. Maybe, he was going to be able to get through this after all.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Starsky quickly made his way across the cafeteria and sat down next to Hutch, who was already there. He was sitting next to a young lad, who looked younger than his twenty-one years but had a friendly, open face.
"Starsky, this is Hank Gordon. Hank, Starsky."
"Pleased to meet ya. You guys in the same class?"
"Yeah, we just had our first session of Defence Tactics together."
"How'd it go?"
Hutch smiled. "All right…thanks to you."
Starsky raised an eyebrow. "How's that?"
"The instructor asked if anyone knew any self-defence. A couple of us put our hands up and had a go. I managed not to make a fool of myself 'cause of your coaching."
Hank chipped in. "Hey, Hutch did all right. He was the only one left standing on his feet."
Starsky grinned. "Way to go, buddy."
They concentrated on eating for a few minutes. Starsky suddenly stood up and waved at somebody and sat down again. A moment later, an African-American man and an Hispanic woman were standing next to the table.
"Mind if we join you?"
"Nah, 'course not," said Starsky. At tables nearby, there were murmurs – some of disapproval, some of interest, some of inappropriate innuendo. Starsky ignored them all.
"Hutch, Hank, this is Cadet Evans and Cadet Gonzalez. They're in AOJ with me."
As soon as introductions were over with, Starsky tucked into his burritos and had soon polished them off. He sat back with a contented sigh.
"You keep inhaling your food like that, you'll have chronic indigestion," Hutch observed.
Starsky shrugged. "I got a cast-iron stomach."
"I thought you had multiple stomachs? Or are they all cast-iron as well," Hutch teased.
"Cast-iron multiple stomachs…sounds about right."
Starsky grinned at Hutch, who grinned back. Then he turned to the cadets sat next to him. "Whaddya think of the instructor, Martin? I think he's gonna be tough to please."
"Yeah, he seemed as if he expected a lot," Gonzalez agreed.
Evans nodded. He looked between Starsky and Hutch. "You two already know each other?"
"Yeah, we've been friends a while," Starsky said.
"What did you do before you came here?" Gonzalez asked. "You both look a bit older than the most of us…just a bit, not a lot," she hastened to add.
Starsky smiled at her. "Well, most recently, I was a cabbie, before that odd jobs, before that…I was in the army." The tone of the last announcement didn't invite further questions.
Hutch said, "I've been a cabbie for the last few months, same company as Starsky, and before that I was an accountant but I've wanted to be a cop for a while and so has Starsky…We sorta decided we'd try it together so here we are. What about you? Where have you all come from?"
Hank had studied pre-law before deciding to train as a police officer. Evans had majored in English and was the first member of his family to go to college. Gonzalez had majored in Sociology and minored in Business Studies.
"What made you want to become a cop?" Starsky asked all of them.
Gonzales shifted in her seat. "My family's been on the rough end of authorities in this city a few times. I…Well, I want to be a cop to help people and I want to improve how the police deal with members of my community."
"That sounds commendable," Hutch said.
"Good for you," Starsky added.
Gonzales looked at both of them with an expression they couldn't fathom.
"What?"
She smiled. "It's just refreshing to be treated as an equal. You don't seem to care that I'm a woman. There's so few women training, I know I'm in for a hard time, but it's nice to know not everybody thinks I shouldn't be here."
Starsky stopped himself from making an inappropriate comment and just gave her a wide smile. Hutch, who knew what his friend was probably thinking, was relieved. Gonzalez was very pretty and Hutch was pretty sure Starsky found her attractive.
"What about you, Evans?"
Evans looked down. "My Daddy was killed when I was twelve. No-one was ever brought to justice…I-I want to help get justice for other families."
Starsky spoke quietly to the youngster. "My Pop was a cop and he was killed in the line of duty when I was young. I still miss him."
Evan looked up and cast a grateful look at Starsky. They nodded at each other.
Hank said, "I'm afraid my story's just plain boring. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, my grandfather was one. I started the course but it didn't sit right with me and then, one day, I just thought I would prefer to be on the front end of the justice system so here I am."
"That's not boring at all. Everybody here has come for different reasons, all valid ones hopefully. Yours is a good enough one," Hutch said.
Starsky looked at his watch. "Well, time's up. Hutch and I have got Traffic Control next, what about you guys?"
The three cadets all had different classes to go to.
As they left the table to go clear their trays of food, Starsky said, "Anyone want to meet for dinner? About seven?"
All the cadets nodded in agreement.
"Great. See you all later."
As he and Hutch headed off to their next class, Starsky observed, "Think we seem to have picked up some waifs and strays, buddy. They seem like a nice bunch."
Hutch agreed and couldn't help thinking to himself that Starsky just seemed to naturally draw people to himself. It wasn't that long since Hutch had been a 'waif and stray' himself and he was so thankful that he'd met Starsky. Without him, he definitely wouldn't be here at the academy, getting started on a new career. "Thank heavens for Starsky," he thought with a smile.
/\/\/\/\/\
A/N In researching Police Training in the 60s and 70s, I realised that there was a lot of difference between States as to subject matter and to training length. I came across the following information, which is what I am basing my course structure on (just for those who are interested in the details):
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology - Volume 57 - Issue 3 Article 18 1967 Development of California's Standardized Two Year College Police Curriculum - Jack McArthur
"The Chief of the Bureau of Industrial Education called a meeting of the Sub-Committee for February 23, 1962, in Fresno, California. The group finalized course descriptions for all the subjects which made up the proposed police science major. Course descriptions agreed upon were: Introduction to law Enforcement (3 Units); Administration of Justice (3 Units); Patrol Procedures (3 Units); Criminal law (3 Units); Criminal Evidence (3 Units); Criminal Investigation (3 Units); Juvenile Procedures (3 Units); Traffic Control (3 Units); Firearms (1 Unit); Defensive tactics (1 Unit); and First Aid (1 Unit)."
I also found some courses that listed very similar units to the ones above but added Narcotics and Vice Control - it makes sense to me to add that in.