Stan Valchek
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Stanislaus Valchek | |
---|---|
David Simon | |
Portrayed by | Al Brown |
In-universe information | |
Gender | Male |
Title | Commissioner |
Occupation | Baltimore Police |
Spouse | Kate |
Children | Joan Pryzbylewski (daughter) |
Relatives | Roland Pryzbylewski (son-in-law) |
Stanislaus "Stan" Valchek is a fictional character on the
Biography
Valchek is the
Season 1
Valchek first appears in a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Burrell and Lieutenant Cedric Daniels, trying to smooth over Prez's drunken maiming of a fourteen-year-old. Valchek tells Daniels that if he helps Prez, Valchek will owe him a favor.
Season 2
Valchek pushes for an investigation into corruption at the docks, due to his petty feud with
Valchek engages in a conversation with Krawczyk, who is aware of Sobotka's significant campaign contributions. Valchek suspects potential illegal activity and, at the same time, takes note of Burrell's nomination for Acting Commissioner. Recognizing Burrell's struggle to garner support from the first district council members, Valchek proposes a deal. He offers Burrell political influence in exchange for a specialized unit dedicated to investigating Sobotka, with Prez at the helm of the investigation. Burrell, facing challenges with the investigative team sent by Rawls, who proves to be ineffective, agrees to Valchek's terms. Observing the lack of diligence from the task force, Valchek coerces Burrell into providing him with a genuine police detail led by Daniels.
As the investigation broadens to include Greek drug traffickers, Sobotka loses prominence as the primary target. An infuriated Valchek turns to the FBI in an attempt to redirect the focus of the investigation, but the Bureau remains more fixated on the union than Sobotka. Frustrated, Valchek confronts Daniels' team, leading to a physical altercation with Prez who, in response to Valchek's insults and shoving, punches him in the face. Enraged, Valchek disowns Prez and threatens him with dismissal from the BPD. Daniels manages to persuade Valchek to lessen Prez's punishment, highlighting that any official action would have to acknowledge Valchek's provocation. Reluctantly, Valchek assigns Prez to a two-month stint on the midnight shift at the district's narcotics unit and accepts a written apology to avoid pressing charges.
When the investigation ends, Valchek delights in personally arresting Sobotka and holds him in the union offices until he can be publicly dragged out in front of the press. The aforementioned Greek drug traffickers later murder Sobotka keep him from turning state's evidence, but the surveillance van is still being shipped around the world.[2] Although Valchek greatly hates Sobotka during the whole season, after Sobotka's death he whispers "Spoczywaj w pokoju" (Polish for "rest in peace").
Season 3
Valchek sets up a meeting between Burrell and
Valchek is surprised and amused when Major
Season 4
After
Carcetti notifies Rawls that Valchek will be promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Administration as a reward for his loyalty. However, Carcetti urges Rawls to ensure that Valchek doesn't cause any trouble. During the promotion ceremony, Valchek's wife Kate and daughter Joan attend, but Prez is noticeably absent. As power dynamics within the department shift and Carcetti strategizes to remove Burrell, Valchek points out to Rawls that Daniels, now holding the rank of Colonel, is a likely candidate to replace Burrell as Commissioner due to his race.[4]
Season 5
Valchek leaks the BPD's statistics on increased crime to Mayor Carcetti, urging that both Burrell and Rawls be fired. He also suggests that Carcetti promote him to Acting Commissioner until Daniels or another
Facing budget constraints and unable to take disciplinary action for an increase in crime rates, Carcetti opts to give Burrell a pass as long as honest statistics are provided. However, Burrell, unaware that Valchek has already released the actual crime stats, submits manipulated figures showing no change in the crime rate. Seizing this opportunity, Carcetti uses the doctored stats to terminate Burrell. To mitigate potential backlash from black voters, Carcetti strategically leaks a story to the Sun with Daniels' photograph, suggesting a consideration for a change in commissioner.
In the series finale, Daniels is named Commissioner but resigns to prevent an FBI case against him from going public. Valchek is then promoted to the position of Commissioner (with a full five-year term) by new mayor
References
- ^ Kolirin, Lianne (16 January 2023). "Al Brown, best known as Stan Valchek in 'The Wire,' dead at 83". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ Dan Kois (2004). "Everything you were afraid to ask about "The Wire"". Salon.com. Retrieved 2006-07-12.
- ^ "Org Chart - The Law". HBO. 2004. Retrieved 2006-07-22.
- ^ "Character profile - Major Stanislaus Valchek". HBO. 2004. Retrieved 2006-07-22.