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The Young Police Chief
年轻的警长
Jim had been appointed as the police chief of his local division-an appointment that he took very seriously as he secretly aspired to ascend to become the leader of the entire city's police department. His promotion had not met with the approval of everyone within the department, because although he was an apt leader who did not ask too much of his men, many did not appreciate his somewhat arrogant methods when dealing with the senior members of the police force.
吉姆被任命为他所在地区的警长——他很看重这一任命，因为他内心一直渴望着升职，从而领导全市的警察部门。但他的升职并没有得到部分内部所有人的认可，虽然他是个灵活的领导者，对下属的要求也不算苛刻，可许多人并不欣赏他对待上级略显傲慢的态度。
As one of the youngest police chiefs ever, his promotion was considered by many of the older policemen an assault on the way thing had always been done, and they were very apprehensive at an array of new programs that Jim had installed within the department. They considered him to be an outsider who had come ashore without spending an appropriate amount of time on the police force before being promoted.
作为有史以来最年轻的警长之一，一些年龄比他大的警察认为对他的提拔意味着否定了他们原来一贯的工作方式，并且他们对吉姆在部门系统内部安装的一系列新程序感到忧虑。他们把他看作刚上岸的门外汉，在提升前根本没有经过适度的刑侦训练。
Sal, one of the oldest members of the force, took Jim aside to ascertain whether Jim was aware that there might be problems ahead. "It's not that we don't approve of the job that you are doing," Sal said, "but your promotion at such a young age has aroused the curiosity of what it is that makes you deserving on such a position. We need time to appraise your performance." Jim was very articulate young man, and there was nothing artificial about him. He decided to speak to all of the men as a group before any more problems could arise. "I understand your concerns, but I assure you that the commissioner's decision to appoint me as your leader was not an arbitrary one," Jim said confidently to the group. "I am not ashamed of my young age, and I hope that you will give me time to prove to you that I am worthy of being your police chief." At that very moment, the sound of gunfire was heard outside as an assault began on the bank across the street-the criminal had very foolishly chosen to approach a bank very close to a police station. Jim was the first policeman to run outside and approach the gunman. His apt ability in dealing with such a dangerous situation was apparent to everyone. Within approximately two minutes, he had arrested the bank robber. Jim had not only prevented a crime, but he had also earned the respect and appreciation of his fellow officers, who now felt ashamed that they had ever questioned his leadership abilities.
塞尔是警局中资历最老的警察之一。一天，他把吉姆拉到一边，想弄清楚吉姆是否意识到前进路上可能会困难重重。“不是我们不支持你的工作”，塞尔说，“但你这么年轻，就得到提升，已经引起了人们的好奇——凭什么你得到如此高的职位？我们需要时间来评价你的表现。”吉姆能言善辩却又不矫揉造作。他决定向反对他的人们说明一切，以免再有类似问题出现。“我理解你们的担心，但我可以保证，委员们任命我为领导的决定并不是任意而为的，”吉姆自信地说，“我并不为我的年轻而惭愧，而且希望你们能给我一些时间，让我证明我是个称职的警长。”话音未落，外面枪响了，街对面的银行遭到抢劫——这些愚蠢的劫匪竟选择这家紧挨警察局的银行。吉姆第一个冲了出去。他处理如此危险的局面所表现出来的机智敏捷为大家有目共睹。不到两分钟，他就把劫匪缉拿归案。吉姆不仅制止了一场犯罪，更赢得了同事们的尊重和理解，他们为曾经怀疑他的领导能力而惭愧。
