Dominic Jephcott: Det. Sgt. Hobson

Quotes 

• Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Building a case against Det. Insp. Forrest but not prepared to reveal his identity at this stage]  Supposing it came to your attention that a senior police officer in this division was guilty of corruption.

  Joe : [Unsurprised]  So what's new?

  Ben : You've got evidence?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : I have reasonable grounds for suspicion.

  Ben : Who is it?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : I can't say.

  Joe : Mr Forrest?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Insistent]  I can't say!

  Ben : [to Joe]  It'll be Mr Forrest.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : I didn't say that.

  Joe : But it will be Mr Forrest - he's as bent as a five-bob note.

  Ben : It's a well-known fact.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Both of you know the area, you know how the Force operates. If I've got information, what shall I do?

  Joe : Professionally-speaking you've got a choice, haven't you?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Have I?

  Ben : If you want to 'shop' Mr Forrest.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : It's nothing to do with Mr Forrest!

  Ben : Parcel up your evidence, tie it with pink ribbon, take it to the Chief Constable.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Is he honest?

  Joe : [Hinting at institutionalized corruption across the police force]  Apparently. He's done well... considering!

  Ben : That's your Plan 'A'. Then there's Plan 'B'...

  Joe : Parcel up your evidence, tie it with pink ribbon, take it to Mr Forrest.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : It isn't Mr Forrest!

  Joe : [Ignoring the denial]  Demand your share of the action!

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Demand what?

  Ben : Get him to cut you in.

  Joe : A place on the board.

  Ben : Make him an offer he can't refuse.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : That's outrageous!

  Ben : It's practical.

  Joe : You'd have our backing.

  Ben : You could even use Plan 'C'.

  Joe : [Explaining]  The three of us could go to Mr Forrest.

  Ben : All three of us could grab some of the benefits of his corruption.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Don't be ridiculous!

  Joe : One for all and all for one!

  Ben : We just want to make the streets of our city safe for children and old-age pensioners.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : What's that got to do with it?

  Joe : It's what we're here for, sunbeam.

  Ben : And we're entitled to our just rewards.

• Mr. Pitt : [On his predecessor's secret files]  Mr. Anderson worked here in the Town Planning Department for five years. He cared deeply about the environment. Those two things don't go together very easily. He left last year, in frustration, and went to live in Perth, Western Australia but he was also very concerned about the corruption going on. He said to me 'One day the roof is going to fall in. A policeman is going to walk in to your office and start enquiries. When that happens, give him these files.'

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : [as Mr. Pitt retrieves the files]  It's all documented? The corruption?

  Mr. Pitt : [Wishing to be kept out of any investigation]  That's what he told me. I've never looked at them. Also, Sergeant Hobson, I've never seen you.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Protesting]  A citizen's first duty is to...

  Mr. Pitt : [Interrupting]  ... protect his job, pension fund and his superannuation. Local government is the last refuge of the timid and poor of spirit, Sergeant Hobson. Mr Anderson is very courageous. That's why he left.

• Big Al : [Presenting files containing evidence of corruption]  This is about money changing hands to get planning permission to build a chip shop on the estate. This is about a well-known local businessman buying his way off a drunk driving charge. This is about a shopkeeper on the high street persuading your Mr Forrest that his dirty videotapes are actually as pure as the driven snow.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Somewhat stunned]  Are all these authentic cases?

  Big Al : Yes. You've got signed statements from people involved around the margins.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Anticipating a court case]  And are all these people prepared to give evidence?

  Big Al : Yes... providing you're not too proud to accept a bit of perjury here and there. It's all relative, isn't it?

• Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Nervously as Chief Supt. Forrest enters the office]  Good morning, sir!

  Chief Supt. Forrest : Morning, Hobson. Do you know where 'sir' is going?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : No, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : 'Sir' has been summoned to an interview with the Chief Constable.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : I see.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : Do you have the remotest idea of why 'sir' has been summoned in this way?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : I do have a remote idea, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : Thought you might. It's amazing: I told you to catch thieves - I never expected you to do it. First time you get anything right and *I'm* the one that's nicked!

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : [Smug]  Bang to rights, unless I'm very much mistaken, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : [Referring to Hobson's study of the role of technology within the police force]  No doubt you'll get a Distinction for your PhD thesis into the bargain, eh? With a commendation from the Chief Constable. Graduate coppers!

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : We are, I think, the shape of things to come, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : With your computers and your information and floppy disks and instant retrieval systems. Very well, Hobson. Speaking as the shape of things to come, what would you advise me to do in my present situation?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : I would hire the best criminal lawyer you know, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : With a computer in his office?

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : The only way to deal with information is to get *more* information, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : The world will disappear under a vast mountain of information, Hobson!

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Well there are grounds for thinking that has already happened, sir!

  Chief Supt. Forrest : [Shakes Sgt. Hobson's hand in farewell]  Well done, Sergeant.

  Det. Sgt. Hobson : Thank you, sir.

  Chief Supt. Forrest : [Accepting his probable fate, yet admiring Hobson's achievement]  Always like to see my lads doing well!