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CNN Live Event/Special
Boston's Finest # 7 - Protecting Your Own
Aired September 01, 2013 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What kind of guy?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's on the (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was coming down blue right now. Right at Quincy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was trying to box him in right here. Once it crossed my (INAUDIBLE) in that rare left hand side.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's something good, Ryan.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just go to right, I'll go to left.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go, go, go. We're going to go box him right here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's right. Give me a hand.
(MUSIC)
TERRIQUE CHAMBERS, OFFICER, NIGHT GANG UNIT: I'm Terrique. I work for the Boston Police Department. I am currently assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force, aka the Gang Unit.
I work what we call first half shift. That's from 4:00 to midnight. Just feel like it was my destiny to do this. However, I'm a husband, a father, and I have two kids, Jaylen and Caden. Sometimes on the night shift several days will go by where I don't really see my boys. I'll come home, and they're sleeping, and --
Who wants to get ready for school?
And then --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No school.
CHAMBERS: Come on. Off to school in the morning. Going to make this face. Going to make the bus, right? Then they're coming home from school, and then I'm going to work. You laid out all their clothes and everything, right?
So it was just like a constant seeing each other in passing or not seeing each other at all. Obviously I miss being more involved, you know, with their lives, but my wife, my boys are the whole reason for my existence. I will do everything in my power to keep them safe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Victor K-19, report of a man in possession of a firearm.
CHAMBERS: Person with a gun?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The suspect lives in Wardman. Threaten the little boy and pointed a gun at a child.
CHAMBERS: Wardman. Back (INAUDIBLE).
In that area it's infamous for gang violence and gun violence.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: 606, give me a description.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Male with a white shirt, wearing a Red Sox style cap.
CHAMBERS: Just pointing out the obvious, huh?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think just trying to get the first (INAUDIBLE).
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was an abandoned cell phone call. No clue where the caller is. I tried to call back several times.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do we have any information on the caller? Does the caller want to make himself known?
CHAMBERS: It's very hard to crack the wall of silence in that neighborhood.
All right. You wasn't outside, was you? All right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I wasn't.
CHAMBERS: OK.
You know, you try to get information about anything that happens around that area, no one is really going to talk too much to the police around there.
Supposed to be a person with a gun beating up a 14-year-old.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're still investigating.
CHAMBERS: What we see -- no victim is coming forward. So it's just right now it's just kind of -- I think it's kind of a wash.
If someone was pointing a firearm at your kid, it should be personal to you. I have kids. It damn sure becomes that much more personal for me. NARRATOR: Of all the guys out there on the street, one used to threaten a child and go straight to the top of the Night Gang Unit's most wanted list.
For the Fugitive Unit the case they're on today is a dangerous one. The suspect is Joseph Cooper, said to be on the run in the Grove Hall Section of Roxbury. He served eight years for manslaughter and now he is wanted for bailing drugs and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
BRIAN ALBERT, SERGEANT, FUGITIVE UNIT: This one is Joseph Cooper. After doing some interviews we received information that he has made statements to the effect that he was going to shoot at the police. I'm going to put the whole unit on this case. Probably six cars. We'll say two officers to a car. That should be enough to do it and to make a car stop if we need to make a car stop.
NARRATOR: For native son Ryan Mason there's extra incentive.
RYAN MASON, OFFICER, FUGITIVE UNIT: In my neighborhood, in my section of the city of Boston, they pride themselves at looking out for the kids that grew up in that neighborhood. You do as much as you can to make sure that those families and those children, those senior citizens, and everybody is protected. That's what's important.
NARRATOR: Mason is part of a team of a dozen officers searching for Cooper. The interviews they've done have made it clear just how dangerous the fugitive is so it's all hands on deck.
BRIAN ALBERT, OFFICER, FUGITIVE UNIT: This sent going to be easy. It's more than one person that said that they've seen him with a firearm and that he definitely would shoot it out with police because he is not going back to jail again, so --
NARRATOR: Sergeant Detective Albert sets up on point. While Mason establishes a moving perimeter. From there it's a waiting game.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got a suspect walking towards the E. Tall, light blue shirt. Dreads.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. He's got his back facing us a little bit. Drive toward E Street and take a look at them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You still got him. I don't see him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, he's walking down --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This definitely looks like our guys, though.
ALBERT: They like this for our guys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On dreads. 5' 11". Yes.
ALBERT: Did he cross?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. ALBERT: Where is here, Mickey?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. I'm looking. I'm looking. I don't see him.
ALBERT: Where is he?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NARRATOR: Suspect Joseph Cooper has already served eight years in jail. Now he's wanted for assault and battery, and word on the street is he'd rather shoot is out with the cops than go back to prison.
ALBERT: Did he cross?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know.
ALBERT: You have someone who doesn't want to be caught.
Where is he, Mickey?
You have a unit that is trying to catch that person.
Where is he?
Around both of those two factions is a community.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He should be on your right, right now.
ALBERT: You have to take on their safety as your priority.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. I'm looking. I'm looking. I don't see him.
MASON: It's kind of the mantra of our unit. To plan and to prepare and to be ready for whatever comes. Because we just don't know.
He could be under the bus, you know?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is not -- he must have gone into one of those buildings.
NARRATOR: It's a rare day off for Manny Canuto and D Araujo of the Gang Unit. Along for the ride is Fugitive Unit Officer Winston DeLeon. The department-wide Reebok Fitness Challenge is approaching fast, and the competitive juices are already flowing.
WINSTON DELEON, OFFICER, FUGITIVE UNIT: You guys doing that fitness challenge?
CANUTO: Yes. Right here. You guys got a team for the Fugitive Unit, right?
DELEON: Yes, we got the dream team. We got Ryan, myself, Brian, and Mike McCue.
CANUTO: It's me, D, Jay, and Joe Connor.
DELEON: And Joe Connor?
CANUTO: So now you guys -- your ass whopped.
DELEON: No, we got Ryan. That's all I'm going to say.
(CROSSTALK)
ARAUJO: He can't do it all.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can't do it all.
CANUTO: Going to let Ryan do the whole competition by himself?
ARAUJO: He's going to do, Ryan, go. Run the mile, run -- do the push-ups, and everything, Ryan.
(CROSSTALK)
CANUTO: Just piggy back him at the end.
(LAUGHTER)
DELEON: This is the matchup. So me and you and D combined.
(LAUGHTER)
ARAUJO: Little guy talking.
DELEON: Ryan do the running. I'm doing the pull-ups.
CANUTO: You can't even reach the pull-ups. What are you, give me (INAUDIBLE) pull-ups?
DELEON: Dude, come on.
(CROSSTALK)
CANUTO: How many pull-ups you do this morning?
DELEON: I did 25. I did 25.
ARAUJO: Fugitive Unit, we don't even need a whole team to beat you guys.
DELEON: We'll see.
CHAMBERS: Where is Caden? Got you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You stick up.
CHAMBERS: I got you. Jaylen and Caden, let's go. Star pumpkin, let's go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Terrique, (INAUDIBLE) because I lost track. CHAMBERS: Yes. I go in at 4:00.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right. You know I can't stand when you do that, right?
CHAMBERS: I know you hate the fact that I do details on my days off, but I try to spend, you know, as much time as I can with you and the boys when, you know, during the week, so it's like when I have a day off, I have to try to do something like overnight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, but the boys are growing up so fast. Like next thing you know, boom, they're teenagers, and you know, you wake up and you're, like, oh, I worked and I worked and then I kind of missed out on certain things. I know we need money, but I feel like they need you more. Especially Jaylen.
CHAMBERS: The biggest challenge about being a dad is juggling work and my two kids Jaylen and Caden. My son Jaylen is my oldest. He was diagnosed with autism. He is the most loving, caring kid you could ever, ever meet.
NINA THOMAS, THERAPIST: Jaylen.
CHAMBERS: Your favorite.
We take Jaylen to a highly trained therapist six days a week. And it's almost an hour drive each way.
THOMAS: Who is that? Panther? Jay, who is this? Who is it?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He just stare out the window and not see me at all, and then be off on the corner and not play with anybody or talk to anybody?
CHAMBERS: Now just to see where he is coming from.
THOMAS: Curious George. Good boy.
CHAMBERS: Just to hear his language progress is so awesome.
THOMAS: Moo says a -- a cow. Good. Mickey Mouse. Good.
CHAMBERS: Watching Jaylen doing his session, it's something that I can't describe. I mean for him to have a rigorous day like he has, you know, waking up at 7:00 in the morning, going to school until 3:45 and then going to another series of sessions for another four hours, I just see a trooper.
THOMAS: Sit for one more minute, and then we'll be all done. Doing a nice job.
CHAMBERS: He is literally my idol.
THOMAS: Look. Who is that?
JAYLEN: Hi, dad. THOMAS: Did you have fun?
CHAMBERS: Did you have a good time?
THOMAS: Bye, guys. Have a good day.
CHAMBERS: Say, thank you so, so much.
THOMAS: No problem.
CHAMBERS: Come on, buddy.
DELEON: The Gang Unit is competitive. Being in the Fugitive Unit now is, like, you know, you see your old friends who are still in the Gang Unit, and it's still -- you know, robbery, and that competition. Like you guys don't get guns off the street, we do. You say, hey, who arrested murderers? We do. You have that competition, that level of respect at the same time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't tell.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Looks like the Gang Unit is pulling up right now.
JOE TEAHAN, SERGEANT, GANG UNIT: You guys just can't (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
TEAHAN: I've been stressed maybe.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I saw the car here. We were going to hit it earlier, too.
TEAHAN: Really? Classic. (EXPLETIVE DELETED)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know. It's like, you're going to help me, (EXPLETIVE DELETED), Fugitive Unit.
CANUTO: I was in the Fugitive Unit, we share a lot of information. Sometimes we end up at the same house looking for the same kid.
ARAUJO: We are competitive, but we also, you know, working towards the same goal. You know, taking bad guys off the streets.
NARRATOR: Both units' target is Rodney Wilkes. Wanted on charges that include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. A tip came in this morning that he's hiding out with some relatives in Dorchester.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Winston, give a little hard knock, man. You working out for Iron Man?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He just tried to exit the rear of the building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come downstairs. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is jumping out on us here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NARRATOR: The Fugitive Union and Gang Unit are together at an apartment in Dorchester with intel that suspect Rodney Wilkes wanted on multiple charges could be hiding out here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Winston, give a little hard knock, man. You working out for Iron Man?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He just tried to exit the rear of the building.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come downstairs.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Back inside. Back inside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where did he go?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's jumping out on us here.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Back inside. Back inside.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where did he go?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Got any weapons on you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My hand.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hold on.
DELEON: Rodney, right? Do you have any weapons or anything on you? Can you drop on transport?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I got it.
DELEON: You got two warrants, bro. Assault and battery, dangerous weapon and trespass. That's for the incident that happened a couple of weeks ago over on Brookledge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You weren't taking a jump, were you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Damn, the Gang Unit and Fugitive Unit?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What time -- hold on. Let's see. Let's see.
TEAHAN: We were actually doing police work at that time.
DELEON: You talk a lot of trash, but at the end of the day the Fugitive Unit had an arrest. I don't know if the Gang Unit -- you know, they was there but, you know, the arrest was ours.
Where you guys heading at next?
CANUTO: We can't tell you guys where we're heading at next.
TEAHAN: All right. Nice job, fellas. Always a pleasure.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See you guys.
NARRATOR: In Roxbury, the other Fugitive Unit team is still on the trail of Joseph Cooper, a dangerous ex-con wanted on assault and drug charges.
MASON: Fugitive investigations like this one you need to be methodical in your approach and as tactical as we can. It's incredibly important to be patient.
NARRATOR: Believing the target to be armed and dangerous, the cops take no chances. With six unmarked cars in a strategic grid staking out the area where Cooper was last spotted.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Front right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. We got on the ground.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. It's like he had a camp or something there.
MICHELLE WILLIAMS, DETECTIVE, FUGITIVE UNIT: We have to figure something out here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Believe it or not, he is -- like he is a camp counselor, but it looks close.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Steve, you want to walk him?
ALBERT: You know, tell him whatever.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, you check all the camps, set off or something. Just have a talk with him.
ALBERT: I get it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't come out right away because there's a lot of little kids around, and we're not 100 percent, OK?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once he walks in here, just try to hold the perimeter.
ALBERT: Until we see what he does?
NARRATOR: A man who might be a violent criminal surrounded by a group of children. Even for the Fugitive Unit, it doesn't get much riskier than this.
MASON: Every single day these families put their children out on these streets, and they expect us to protect them. It's a burden to carry, but I'm extremely proud to be able to carry that burden.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, it's a negative. (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Brian, he's a camp counselor.
ALBERT: So 981, we're going to -- we're going to pull the plug on this for today. We're going to try to get a little bit more stuff on the tactical end. That's probably going to take us to the end of the day. We're going to pull off this. And let them do their work and hopefully we come up with something that we can get back on tomorrow.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Sarge, they have the arrest. Thanks.
GREG DANKERS, OFFICER, FUGITIVE UNIT: That is sexy today.
MASON: My man hooked it up.
DANKERS: The only thing that's missing is like a mullet.
(LAUGHTER)
MASON: Greg and I grew up in similar neighborhoods, not too far apart from each another, and there were so many older guys in the neighborhood who looked out for you. I had the benefit of a lot of them taking me under their wing and giving me a lot of good advice.
So Chief AD called. He wants us to meet with one of the kids from the neighborhood, a kid Gavin McCartney. He's been sick for a while.
DANKERS: So the chief, even though he is retired, still running the Cops for Kids with Cancer?
MASON: Yes.
DANKERS: What is Gavin's issue, exactly?
MASON: Gavin has neuroglastoma. So he has actually tumors on the brain.
DANKERS: Man.
MASON: Kind of has an interest in policing, so let's go over and meet him and his brothers.
DANKERS: Definitely.
MASON: I think as I've gotten older, I try to look after the kids who grow up in the neighborhood that I grew up in and other neighborhoods in the city.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like (INAUDIBLE) with beef.
DANKERS: Yes. That's what we got. You know Ryan doesn't eat beef? Ryan eats, like, beans, grass, nuts, berries.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So what do you do as a cop?
DANKERS: We work in the Fugitive Unit. It's an adult version of hide and seek.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm brave enough to do anything. I will face a robber with bombs, a robber with a gun.
DANKERS: I think a robber, if he ever saw you, he would just run. He'd be scared because you're a tough kid.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would kick him.
MASON: Yes, we got this fitness challenge coming up. It's a team of four guys. We're hoping that you can coach our team. Can you coach our team?
DANKERS: Don't do it.
MASON: Come on, please.
DANKERS: Don't to it.
MASON: Please.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
DANKERS: So we'll see you at the fitness challenge. And give me a high five.
MASON: Harder. That's a good one.
DANKERS: They got you. I knew they would get you. You talk all tough. Big bad mean Ryan.
CHAMBERS: It's like the perfect blend of (EXPLETIVE DELETED) stuff and rich.
NARRATOR: The hot spots of Boston's gang activity can change by the hour. Earlier tonight a 19-year-old gang member was murdered in Mattapan. Now sources are telling the police retaliation will play out in the south end.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're looking over there.
CHAMBERS: Yes. He did. He saw us. He definitely --
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is going hard.
We noticed a big wooden booth like they were waiting for us to leave. Remember that we stopped on Bail Street and then he stopped in front of his house? I think that was the car they were driving. The hatchback Mercedes.
DELEON: There was a hatchback Mercedes?
CHAMBERS: Let's make your way over here. We're going to talk to these guys.
DELEON: I think this kid got a warrant right here.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CHAMBERS: Let's make your way over here. We're going to talk to these guys.
NARRATOR: Expecting retaliation for an earlier shooting in Mattapan, the Night Gang Unit has pulled over a familiar car.
DELEON: I think this kid got a warrant right here.
CHAMBERS: Got get to.
As soon as I saw him, I knew that I had to get inside this vehicle because I know not only what he's capable of but I know what he's known for on the streets.
DELEON: Yes, he was on that warrant list that they always print out for, like --
(CROSSTALK)
CHAMBERS: Really?
DELEON: Wanted. Yes.
NARRATOR: Outstanding warrants are one way to get gang members off the streets. Another is illegal weapons possession.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get this knife here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You got knife right here? All right.
CHAMBERS: Based on their body language and how nervous they became, you know they immediately started sweating and everybody was shaking, nervously.
So you want us to (INAUDIBLE)
You know, which are telltale signs that there's something inside the vehicle.
I don't know if you guys remember we found a big bag of rounds? That was the kid that was suspected to have ran on them and tossed it. NARRATOR: But tonight the car is clean, and as it happens, the guy in the backseat squared up with the courts just yesterday.
CHAMBERS: That's never what happens. That's like one in a million. Chance of this kid clearing up his warrants a day before.
NARRATOR: The driver, though, is taking a ride.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to go to jail without driving without a license, because we saw you driving? So --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wasn't driving a car.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're sitting in the car with the key in the ignition.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The key was not on it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just save it for another day.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a good start, regardless.
CHAMBERS: This gang game, this gun game, it's a very dangerous game. You know, as a police officer, you read the writing on the wall. You can't just lock the problems away. It's bigger than that. It's actually making an impact on the community.
CANUTO: The thing about cops, you're always competing on something. At work. Out of work. It's always a competition. We're worried about Winston, D?
ARAUJO: No.
CANUTO: No. Are we worried about anyone?
ARAUJO: You afraid of anyone out there?
CANUTO: No.
ARAUJO: Time for that donut.
CANUTO: What, you got old-fashioned?
ARAUJO: Yes, I'm the old-fashioned dude. I went with a glazed donut.
CANUTO: I've been eating all my life, and I'm still in shape.
ARAUJO: It's good (INAUDIBLE).
CANUTO: What do you think Winston is eating right now?
ARAUJO: (EXPLETIVE DELETED) Protein bars. We've got to come up with a name, too.
CANUTO: Dough boys.
ARAUJO: Yes?
CHAMBERS: All right. Now, here we go. Shirt time. Let me see you put the shirt on.
(CROSSTALK)
You have to feel for it. No, no, no, no. You have to fix your shoulder first.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK?
CHAMBERS: Grab your shirt. Grab your button. Come on, hey, Jaylen.
There are some days where you want to just either go to your room and bury your face in the pillow or you just want to go outside and scream.
Jaylen, go get your shoes outside for me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What are you doing? What are you doing?
CHAMBERS: I think I have more difficulty with my youngest son Caden than Jaylen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You just ate my orange. You are really going to --
CHAMBERS: Back up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You ate my lunch.
CHAMBERS: Sit right here for a second.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, boy.
CHAMBERS: Sit down. Let me tell you something. You need to respect your mommy and daddy, and you need to watch your tone. You understand me?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: School time. Grab your coat.
CHAMBERS: Great job. You're such a cool cat. Jaylen, go get your jacket, and your mom will put your jacket on. Great job.
I'm definitely at a crossroad in my career right now because I'm thinking more about the raising of my boys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are you going?
CHAMBERS: I'm going put you on the bus. What do you mean where am I going?
At this point I'm really not the dad that I want to be.
Love you. Love you. Love you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Attention all units. Looking for a black SUV involved in a shooting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: An SUV just flew up (INAUDIBLE) but I don't know where it ran off to.
CHAMBERS: You hear them?
NARRATOR: Shots fired and a vehicle fleeing the scene. An all too familiar call in this neighborhood.
CHAMBERS: When you enter those streets your spider sensors go off a little bit more. The hair on the back of your necks tend to stand up a little and, you know, you kind of expect the worse.
NARRATOR: For the Night Gang Unit once again tracking down the gun is the objective.
CHAMBERS: This could be our guy. You got (INAUDIBLE)?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't do a (EXPLETIVE DELETED).
CHAMBERS: You don't have your seat belt on, all right? That's a $25 ticket. No, no, no, let me finish so you want to jump out, OK? Turn the vehicle off. Turn the vehicle off.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's that? You got something else to say?
CHAMBERS: Dude, do you have a problem, dude?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm telling you.
CHAMBERS: The passenger is the one with the mouth right now.
CHAMBERS: Calm yourself down, dude.
This vehicle is matching the description of a vehicle that just committed a violent crime.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why you acting so -- step outside of the car, y'all.
CHAMBERS: The last thing you want to do is lose control of a situation that could possibly get you killed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yo, keep looking at me up and down like that.
CHAMBERS: No matter what part of Boston you are from, whether you are a white Irish guy from the South or a you're a black kid from Roxbury, Dorchester, everyone has that edge to them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. He is going to --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, sir.
NARRATOR: The kid might have a chip on his shoulder, but he is not who they're looking for.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You used some good discretion because I know I probably would have had to write him up.
CHAMBERS: Oh, dude. You know, like just --
I think fear is what motivates you. My biggest fear for my boys is for them to be in this lifestyle that nothing productive could ever come from.
(CROSSTALK)
CHAMBERS: Have a stare-off. I'm like, dude, I can't even believe you. You're a good kid. Like, be that.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: See, the difference with our team, we mean business. These dudes here, they got shirts made, they parading around here. They got instructed.
NARRATOR: The Boston Police Department's annual fitness challenge features teams from across the force, but for the Fugitive and Gang Units, it's a grudge match.
DELEON: You're got to extend your hips. You've got to extend -- not like that, bro.
CANUTO: Don't worry about -- don't worry about my team. Worry about your team, dude.
DELEON: I'm just trying on help you guys out.
MASON: So on our team, Mike, Bryan, Winston. OK? You can make your speech.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a wonderful year. I hope our team just makes it. There's a lot to do, so I hope they just do a good job.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go. Gavin on three.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gavin on three?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One, two, three.
TEAM: Gavin.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nice.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who's running first? Make sure he runs fast.
MASON: Gavin is a kid from our neighborhood that has been through so much. All the different chemotherapy treatments and all the different medical setbacks and he's a kid who just continuously keeps a smile on his face. To be able to get to know him is an extreme -- is a privilege.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Five seconds.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three, two, one. Go.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NARRATOR: The Boston Police Department's annual fitness challenge pits unit against unit. For the Gang and Fugitive Units, it's a war for a year's worth of bragging rights.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Move it outside. We got another moving outside as well. Who is coming behind him?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Manny.
ARAUJO: Manny, come on. Come on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all ours. It's all over. We win. We win.
CANUTO: D, are you kidding me, dude?
(LAUGHTER)
DELEON: It's a wrap.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going sit down.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't do it. I'm done.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Breathe it out, man.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gavin, we got it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Gavin, how are you buddy?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good to see you.
MASON: He's the commissioner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With the commissioner.
EDWARD F. DAVIS, COMMISSIONER, BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: I'm sort of like in charge of all the cops.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, if you're -- if you're like the boss of the boss, then like the mayor?
DAVIS: No. The mayor is the boss of the boss of the boss.
(LAUGHTER) MASON: To be able to meet Gavin, he has shown me, like, what's truly important in this life, what's truly important in your career is, like, you need to focus your efforts and your energy on people like Gavin.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's my distinct privilege and honor to have you guys here working out with us. I can't thank you guys enough for what you do on a daily basis out there on the streets, you know, to keep us and the rest of our community safe.
MASON: I don't think I always knew what I was going to do growing up. I was always around the police department, and I really like the way they led their lives. With so many guys in the neighborhood, who look out for you and it's kind of emotional to talk about but it's -- you wouldn't get there without their help.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I want to thank everybody for coming out. Reebok Cross Fit One wants a place (INAUDIBLE) on his club. Be good. Enjoy your weekend, guys. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's somebody up there now. I see the lights. Just going around.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I saw them coming down.
NARRATOR: In the Bromley Heath Housing Project, the Night Gang Unit is still on edge following the shooting in Mattapan.
CHAMBERS: We're very familiar with multiple gangs in that area. Martin Luther King reply gangs in that area. Retaliation is -- you know, is imminent.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You supposed to be out?
CHAMBERS: Somebody passed something to somebody.
I observed what I thought to be one of the males chamber a round of a firearm.
(CROSSTALK)
CHAMBERS: As soon as we open the door of the vehicle they all took off in different directions. I locked in on one.
Get on the ground.
And I just chased him until I caught him. When I tackled him and flipped him over, I realized that it was like a kid, like a baby. It was almost like I was seeing my own son.
Why did you run?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't know who you were, man.
CHAMBERS: How old are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifteen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifteen.
CHAMBERS: Fifteen? I checked him real good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I checked him real good. No gun.
CHAMBERS: It just pains me that he's kind of in that lifestyle already and he is kind of following that path and he has no aspirations to really get off that path.
I'm hoping you're going to learn from your mistakes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
CHAMBERS: You know I can do that every day. You can't do theft. Always.
NARRATOR: With no weapon recovered at the scene, the young man is released into the custody of his father.
CHAMBERS: Policing is not just putting the handcuffs on somebody. You have to be willing to kind of walk them through the steps that someone in their family probably hasn't really walked them through.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So are we heading (INAUDIBLE)?
MASON: Roxbury, looking for Joseph Cooper. We got units on surveillance already sitting on a house, so he is with who they think is his new girlfriend, and she's actually wanted as well. Also they're sitting on a house. I'm going to fly over there and get there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, he is the same guy I talked about when I shoot it out with the cops. He gets stopped. Always get wanted.
MASON: Exactly.
NARRATOR: Fugitive suspect Joseph Cooper isn't doing himself any favors. Violating a restraining order led to a confidential informant tipping off the police where he might be hiding, and that's brought them to the Lawrence Avenue area.
MASON: You're sure, right?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. You see someone with dreadlocks, it's like, well, could that be him?
MASON: That guy right there?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I say no.
MASON: That looks like him right there, bro. Right height.
Jay, there's a guy standing at the corner of the L and the B. He's got dreadlocks on. White T-shirt. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He got to deliver --
MASON: (INAUDIBLE) pulling by. Tony was right there, too, so he probably saw the same guy getting out of the car.
Tony, what kind of car? Call out the plate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is in the car, Jersey plate.
ALBERT: Sounds like that's going to be him. We're going to try to do him right at the point. Tony, if you can take the red bumper.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, Ryan, it's coming hot on the left hand side.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, try to make the loop, try to --
MASON: Yes. I'm going to bring him out.
ALBERT: He's coming down Blue right now, right at Quincy. I will try to box him, right here.
MASON: Watch the (INAUDIBLE) in that rear left hand side door.
ALBERT: Those situations that the adrenaline is moving.
Right there.
There is a violent suspect inside the vehicle. Go, go, we're going to box him in here. And somehow you got to try to stop that car.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right there. Go right, go, go, we're going to box him in right here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, step out of the vehicle. Give me your hand. Show your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) hand. Show your hands. Everybody get your hands.
ALBERT: This is a guy that said he was going to shoot it out with police. All those things are going through your head.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right rear passenger, right rear passenger, shut the car off.
NARRATOR: Joseph Cooper bragged that if the cops ever caught him, he wouldn't go down without a fight. But at a busy intersection of Roxbury, he has been apprehended with no shots fire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You guys want to give him enough choice? You got anything on you, my man?
MASON: It is a good feeling. There's a sense of satisfaction because you know that you have apprehended him. At the end of the day, we're trying to protect the neighborhoods that we grew up in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you. We appreciate your help.
MASON: It's working.
CHAMBERS: I love -- I love hanging out with you guys. I like the outside work.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Outside of work? OK. I like the outside of work.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was thinking earlier, when you go into work, it's really only four hours before the kids go to bed. It's just like the worst four hours of the day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, when they leave, oh, I know.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've been around each other all day and they're crazy off the wall. If you guys run around playing cops and robbers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Or just sit in the car and download music --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now you know what we do -- now you know what we do?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel like you guys get off easy.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's the word.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: At night. Because we have them -- like she was saying at that bad hour, like we're always the mean mommies, especially me.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know something? You're right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So let me get this straight. Dealing with the city's worst murderers, killers, gang bangers that's --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll switch places with you like a few nights.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Me too.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would love it.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you guys think about going toast to days? Our kids at the age, like they need you guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Caden is asking me when we pick them up, where is daddy, where is daddy, where is daddy. And I always have to tell him, he is at work, Caden. I feel like I'm a single parent.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Toast to days?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, let's not jump the gun. Let's toast to considering.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Considering days. Considering days.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And helping out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you.
CHAMBERS: Mister.
Sometimes on the night shift, I encounter boys that are probably only 9, 10 years older than my boys. It just makes me strive to be that much stronger of a father, because if I have any breath in my body, my boys would never be out on the streets doing what I see every single night. Whether it means I need to cut back on overtime and working in order to be that father that I need to be, to be around my boys and raise them to be men, that's what I will do.
You can't really put a price tag on your -- on your children's future, especially when you're dealing with young men. Because, I mean, let's face it. The world is lacking positive men.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What up, cuz?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's up, doug?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: First day, baby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Getting up early in the morning?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. Not a fan of it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And you didn't bring any coffee?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why would I do that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the first day on days.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Then it's your first day on days. You could have brought me some coffee.
NARRATOR: After a lot of thought and deliberation, Terrique and Miles have transferred to days.
CHAMBERS: Good morning, good morning, good morning. Hey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I guess you can't beat them, join them.
CHAMBERS: Can't beat them, join them? Fair enough.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got to tell you, but no rest sneaking on days.
CHAMBERS: I'm going to put my (EXPLETIVE DELETED) for a foot chase. Last time you guys lost a foot chase.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why is it going to be like that? I thought we were going to be welcomed with open arms.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Exactly. You know what I mean?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, guys, roll call? OK. Robinson? Arlington? Araujo.
ARAUJO: Sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Canuto?
CANUTO: Yes, sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lee?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ramos?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Connelly? Then we have our newest additions to days, Lawton and Chambers. Finally saw the light literally and figuratively.
(LAUGHTER)
Just try to take care of these guys. Teach them some police work so all right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They might get you --
I definitely feel like it's that time to be the more tranquil soccer dad. There is a bigger goal than myself at hand, which is my family.
You got a lot of rules.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dude. Listen, I'm the car commander? Can I command? Jeez.
CHAMBERS: I don't know if this is going to work.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, it's going to work. We're going make it work. You do the marriage.
END
