New York City Police Captain Sarah Johnson was heading home in a taxi.

The driver had no idea that the woman sitting in his vehicle was not just an ordinary passenger, but a high-ranking police captain. Sarah wore a simple red dress and looked like any other civilian.

She was on leave, heading home to attend her brother’s wedding. Sarah decided she would attend not as a police captain, but simply as a sister. As they drove, the driver said: —“Ma’am, I’m only taking this route because of you. Otherwise, I rarely use this road.”

Captain Sarah Johnson asked the driver: —“But why, brother? What is the problem with this road?” The taxi driver replied:

—“Ma’am, there are some police officers stationed on this road. The sergeant of this area issues tickets for no reason and extorts money from taxi drivers even when they haven’t made a mistake. And if anyone disobeys the sergeant, he gives them a beating. I don’t know what is written in my destiny today. God forbid I run into that sergeant right now; otherwise, he will take my money without me being at any fault.”

Captain Sarah thought to herself: “Is what this taxi driver saying really true? Does the sergeant of this precinct really do such terrible things?” After traveling a short distance, she saw Sergeant Tom Davis standing by the side of the road with his colleagues, checking vehicles. As soon as the taxi reached them, Sergeant Tom signaled with his hand for the taxi to stop.

Then, Sergeant Tom said angrily: —“Hey, taxi driver, get out. Do you think you own the road, driving the taxi at such a speed? Aren’t you afraid of the law? Come on, pay a €500 fine immediately.”
Saying this, the sergeant pulled out his ticket book. The driver, Mike, got scared and said: —“Officer, I haven’t broken any rules. Why are you giving me a ticket? Please, don’t do this. I haven’t done anything wrong, and I don’t have that much money right now. Where am I going to get €500 to give you?”

Hearing this, Sergeant Tom became even angrier. He raised his voice. —“Don’t argue with me. If you don’t have the money, do you drive the taxi for free? Hurry up, get out your license and the taxi registration. Is this taxi stolen?”

The driver quickly pulled out all the papers and showed them. The papers were perfectly in order. Everything was completely correct. But Sergeant Tom still said:

—“The papers are fine, but you still have to pay the fine. Give me €500 now, or at least €300, otherwise I will impound your taxi right now.”

Standing nearby, Captain Sarah Johnson was watching and listening to everything intently. She saw how Sergeant Tom Davis was harassing a poor, hardworking taxi driver for no reason, trying to extort money from him. Although she felt angry, she remained calm so she could first understand the whole truth and then take action at the right time.

The taxi driver said to Sergeant Tom: —“Officer, where am I going to get that much money? I’ve only earned €50 so far. How can I give you €300? Please let me go, sir. Let me pass. I have small children. I am a poor man. I work hard all day to feed my family. Please have mercy on me, sir.”

But Sergeant Tom showed no mercy. He exploded with rage. He grabbed the driver by the collar, shoved him roughly, and shouted: —“If you don’t have the money, why do you drive a taxi? Is the road your father’s for you to speed like that? On top of that, you’re arguing with me. Come on, I’ll show you some fun at the station.”

Hearing this, Captain Sarah could no longer contain herself. She immediately stepped forward, stood in front of the sergeant, and said: —“Sergeant, you are doing something completely wrong. When the driver has not committed a mistake, why are you fining him? Furthermore, you physically assaulted him. This is a violation of the law and civil rights. You have no right to oppress an ordinary citizen in this manner. Let him go.”