Question I

[Jonetta]

Tracy gets promoted to detective in Burglary as a result of her actions in the Gorshkov domestic disturbance call. Do you think this would have happened without the freelance journalist being there to capture it all and the prior negative public relations? Did she earn it?

[~Melissa~]

This is just a tiny peek into what her six years has been like. From the little glimpse we get it's hard to tell if they would've promoted her. I'd like to say yes - but my gut is telling me no. However, her mic was live so others were able to hear her diffuse the situation as it was happening. You would hope that would help if the journalist hadn't been riding along that night.

[Robin]

I think everyone hearing what was happening in that apartment (through Tracy's open mic) showed her abilities and made others take notice. When she left the building with Alex in handcuffs, she got applause.

I do believe they gave her the medal right away to help diffuse the sexism complaints. And, Tracy handling the questions from the reporter about not getting promoted certainly helped her.

[Jonetta]

It was an opportune moment that gave brass an out from a bad PR situation. I don’t believe she would have been promoted anytime soon, though. If not for the exposé, a freelance journalist would not have been on site. Without the press coverage, I doubt the folks in her precinct would have even recommended her for a medal.

Tracy earned the medal and the promotion. Being recognized for her heroic efforts wasn’t a given.

[Karen ♐]

I think the open mic really helped to show what a good officer Tracy is and then management was able to promote her and in addition, look really good to the outside world.

[Sharon]

You all are right. The open mic and the press pushed her chances for promotion. If the mic wasn't on, I don't think the reporter would help her chances. It would be too easy for her immediate supervisors to say that the women were taking sides. Her open mic documented her abilities.