It's Sgt. Matt Boyden's 40th birthday, and to make matters worse, he has to cancel a date to attend an outward-pursuit weekend with PC Vicky Hagen and a group of wayward teenagers. CID investigate the serious bashing of an elderly man, and their prime suspect is Jason Wyatt who had attacked the same man some months previously. Jason is one of the group with Boyden and Hagen, and his aggressive personality causes several arguments and fights over the weekend. Boyden forms a bond with the boy though, and suspects Jason's abusive father had more to do with the attack. Forensics prove him right, but to Boyden's dismay, Jason faces a manslaughter charge as the injuries he inflicted on the man months ago caused the man to die. Hagen promises Boyden a birthday drink, but the relief have organised a surprise party, so they take a raincheck.

Frustrated PC Luke Ashton is desperate to prove himself but Sgt Craig Gilmore seems determined to hold him back. However, when Craig goes to investigate a homophobic assault he takes Luke to accompany him. But does Luke have the aptitude needed for such a sensitive issue? Later Inspector Gina Gold is furious to hear of their feeble progress so barges in with a more forceful approach - but are her actions too extreme? PC Cass Rickman impresses Sgt June Ackland when she gets involved in a bitter father/daughter row. Cass is determined to protect the girl from Shane, her sinister boyfriend, but will the girl see sense and drop the matter before taking her father to court?. Meanwhile PC Tony Stamp and PC Gary Best catch Lee Dwyer robbing a newsagent but rather than make an arrest Tony decides to help him. Is Tony acting beyond the call of duty?. When PC Des Taviner receives a disturbing letter he takes the risk of visiting the sender and is shocked at the revelation. [Source: www.thebill.c

Inspector Gina Gold faces spot of bother when a solicitor complains against her rather unorthodox policing methods. That is, if you call kneeing a thug in the balls unorthodox. Luke is dragged into the Superintendent's office as the witness, with Gina's hopes pinned on his answer. Meanwhile Sgt Gilmore 's received an official complaint against the young PC but he feels compelled to help. After using his charm on a scared resident of a run down apartment block DC Ken Drummond makes headway into an arson investigation. Though while she describes a local criminal as the culprit the bigger picture looks like her greedy landlord is trying to smoke her out. The arson aspect makes Danny's work even more personal. Superintendent Chandler gets his chance show off the new CSU when a journalist offers to spend a day following a case. He decides TDC Brandon Kane's case of a father assaulting his teenage daughter's boyfriend is the one to follow. Brandon warns him off suggesting he follow another i