Lt. JG David Roberts
From Station
Security Chief Turned Philosopher
By Caroline Post
Recently, I stopped by the Security Office on Deck 11 to interview our new Chief of Security, Lieutenant David S. Roberts. The lieutenant was well-mannered and friendly as I asking probing questions about his background and how he sees his job on Kepler.
"Really, most 'police work' is just keeping the peace," the lieutenant told me. "My people make sure the passageways and residents are safe, break up the occasional bar fight, defend the station, if the need arises, and investigate crimes."
As I discussed the security of the station with Lt. Roberts, I came to see that he sees himself more as a business executive delegating duties to those under his command who are most suited to dealing with a particular problem. He will handle what he feels competent to handle, but he'll pass along other problems to those with more expertise.
"I'm what most people call a knuckle-dragging thug," he confessed to me, "but I'm a smart one. I know where my weaknesses are, and I know which of my people are trained to handle a situation. So, if there is a fight, I'm your man. Maybe I'm your man for some other situations, as well . . . I don't try to be smarter than I am, or take on situations I'm unfit to handle, but if there is a crime - I'm the man who picks the right officer for the job."
This reporter doubts anyone would ever characterize the Security Chief as a 'knuckle-dragging thug.' The tall, good-looking young man is the epitome of someone to trust, especially when seen in his Starfleet Security Yellow. One look at the Lieutenant inspires confidence and a feeling of safety. So, where did he acquire that confidence that makes him seem a bulwark of protection?
As a young man, Roberts lost his parents in the Tyra system, destroyed by the Dominion. He'd already been accepted by Rymark University. He told me that once he heard of his parents' demise, "It was a choice between the Marines and Starfleet Security. The line at the Marine depot was longer, and I was unwilling to wait."
I can imagine the youngster he was, grieving for his parents, and determined to do something about it. "Starfleet Tactical training gave me access to ship's weapons and tactical systems. It was a surer way to strike back at the Jem'Hadar, in particular. It also meant I could prevent others from suffering my parents' fate."
At this point, one could begin to see the forces which formed the character and thoughtful nature of our Security Chief. The longer I talked with him, the more he seemed to be a philosopher rather than policeman. He told me a story of a young girl on the station who had talked with him, ". . . because her sister had told her men and women in yellow were okay."
"She asked me if I liked being security . . . I couldn't tell her . . . no matter how hard I work, I (sometimes) fail to protect people. And I guess that ties into how the Federation benefits from my service. I work hard to make sure people are as safe as I can make them."
Then he added, " . . . when I fail, I figure out what I did wrong or who to send so that the chances of it happening again are less."
I came away from the interview with confidence in our Security Chief, newly promoted to lieutenant, and in the security of the station on his watch. I also came away with the desire to view the bonsai conservatory he'll be erecting soon in the Arboretum. It turns out that he is an artist, and he'll be sharing that talent with the inhabitants of Kepler Station, too. I can hardly wait!
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