Clarence Royce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Clarence V. Royce | |
|---|---|
 |
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| First appearance | "Time After Time" (episode 3.01) |
| Statistics | |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | 50s |
| Occupation | Former Mayor of Baltimore |
| Portrayed by | Glynn Turman |
| Created by | David Simon |
Clarence Royce is the fictional mayor of Baltimore played by Glynn Turman on the HBO drama The Wire.
[edit] Biography
Mayor of Baltimore Clarence V. Royce is a deft political figure and is fixated on remaining in power. He is ably advised by his chief of staff Coleman Parker and also takes counsel from State Delegate Odell Watkins. Royce values loyalty amongst his people and aims to reward it whenever it will not hurt his position to do so. He appoints Ervin Burrell as acting commissioner following the retirement of Warren Frazier. When crime rates begin to rise Royce is urged to sack Burrell by Parker and Watkins but is reluctant to do so because of his loyalty. When Watkins mentors Marla Daniels to take the seat of Royce council loyalist Eunetta Perkins in the Western district, Royce responds by holding up her husband's promotion and supporting Perkins.
Royce's propensity to put the stability of his own position ahead of the needs of the city creates political enemies for him. Ambitious councilman Tommy Carcetti seizes on Royce's unwillingness to entertain diverting funds into a witness protection scheme as a reason to run against him. Odell Watkins also becomes disillusioned with the mayor over time. Councilman Anthony Gray also decides to run against Royce at Carcetti's urging.
When drug tolerant zones set up by police district commander Howard "Bunny" Colvin were exposed in Western Baltimore Royce considered keeping them running under a different name because the area had a dramatic fall in its crime rate. Parker realized that it would be a disaster to support them despite this. Royce entertained the idea of extending the experiment under a different name but Parker eventually convinced him that this would be too difficult to explain to the public. Parker again called for Burrell to be sacked and Royce agreed this time. However Burrell turned Royce's hesitation to his advantage by threatening to expose the Mayor's consideration of the project. Burell convinced Royce to allow Colvin to act as the scapegoat and the police department to take responsibility while Burrell would receive a full term as commissioner as a reward for his loyalty. Parker and Royce agree to fire Burrell once they win re-election.
Royce's election campaign is a well-oiled machine. Parker is an effective fundraiser and Royce is booked into many high profile speaking opportunities with property developers to push his motto of reform and development. Royce receives massive contributions and fundraising help from developer Andy Krawczyk. Royce retains state senator Clay Davis as his deputy campaign chairman. Royce is given more reason to be displeased with Burrell when these key political figures's records are subpoenaed by the police department's major case unit. Davis in particular is outraged and visits Royce personally to tell him that he never asks where his money comes from and that he expects Royce to protect him. Royce sets Parker the task of controlling the problem and while the subpoenas cannot be revoked Parker gets an assurance from Burrell that there will be no more surprises within his department.
Royce has an adulterous relationship with his assistant. He is caught receiving oral sex in his office by one of his security detail, Thomas "Herc" Hauk. He later checks with Parker who Herc's friends are in the department and considers having him reassigned.
Royce's campaign receives its first major setback in the debates. Carcetti drops a bombshell on Royce when he uses news of a recently murdered state's witness in an answer taking the opportunity to accuse Royce of ignoring his request for witness protection in Baltimore - Royce is unaware of the killing and unable to respond adequately.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Character profile - Mayor Clarence V. Royce. HBO (2006). Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
