Staten Island: Gulag Archipelago

In the NYC police procedurals that I love--Law & Order, Blue Bloods, etc.--Staten Island is where cops are sent for breaking the rules. Mike Logan (Chris Noth) gets sent there for hitting a bigoted politician; Frank Reagan sends a disillusioned cop, who blotted his copybook, to Staten Island.

Even in Nero Wolfe, Inspector Ash--who harasses and irritates Wolfe--is sent to Staten Island when he fails to solve the NSA case. Inspector Cramer is restored to his position (and gives Wolfe an orchid as thanks).

Yes, Prime Minister, "The Bishop's Gambit," includes a reference to a similar type of "demotion":

Man 1: There is one possible candidate, Steven Soames, but we've saved him up for years. We'd rather offer him Truro.

Humphrey: Why?

Man 2: Well, Truro is--How shall I put it? Very remote.

Man 1: It is to the Church what the Vehicle Licensing Centre in Swansea is to the Civil Service.
It's hilarious--but you know, I figure: there must be some people who love Swansea. And some people who love Staten Island! See http://visitstatenisland.com/

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